You Look Silly in That Scrum Cap

In rugby, there are very few things players can wear to protect themselves. The International Rugby Board (IRB) has very strict rules on braces, padding, and even gloves. Everything worn on the field must first be approved by the IRB, and the only protective gear that is often associated with rugby are the very ugly, ridiculous scrum caps.

I mean look at that thing!It literally looks like over-sized bubble wrap formed to a hat, and what's even worse is when ladies pull their ponytails through a hole. *Shudder* Ok, ok, am I really one of those girls that lets looks get priority over safety? Of course not! I would totally wear this scrum cap...if it actually made a difference in a game. From my experience, the cap only hinders hearing and offers too much friction in contact, which makes tackles less effective and puts me at risk of a neck injury. But don't take my word for it; in a case-control study conducted in South Wales, UK, the effectiveness of headgear in reducing head or facial laceration, abrasion, or fracture among rugby players was very minimal and only significantly reduced bleeding head injuries in forwards, not backs. The case-control study states that "headgear was associated with substantial but non-significant reductions," and only mentioned reductions in surface wounds, not traumatic brain injuries such as concussions, for half of the team. 

So sadly, though the IRB may be attempting to make the game "safer," its attempts are feeble and may be a deliberate effort to keep rugby as its creators intended it to be played and retain its traditional laws and system. Add the adequate type of padding or protective gear with the intensity of rugby and you no longer have rugby. It's football. Rugby is a show of physicality, endurance, and what the players are able to endure without the assistance of padding speak to the spirit of what it means to play rugby. However, introducing protective gear, though able to protect the wearer, will also pose a greater risk to opponents or anyone who comes in contact with the individual. Thus, protective gear would have to be worn by everyone to ensure the safety of all players, which would cause the game of rugby as we know it to change. Perhaps this is the reason why scrum caps are optional, not required, by players and are truly not as effective of reducing injuries such as concussion (a serious injury) than it is protecting against non-serious injuries such as flesh wounds or cauliflower ear...though I personally hate that. That shiz is gross. Though I am all for more safety regulations in rugby and better protective gear, sometimes I do find myself resenting the referee for stopping game play to call a dangerous play, and in my opinion should rugby begin introducing padding or other forms of protective gear, the game will change whether we like it or not and I am not sure if it will carry the same excitement that today's rugby offers. 

Link to case-control study:

S, J. J., R, A. L., Evans, R., R, G. N., & al, e. (2004). Effectiveness of rugby headgear in preventing soft tissue injuries to the head: A case-control and video cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(2), 159-162. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/194466697?accountid=14749