Tackles shoulder most school rugby injuries

Most in Leinster occur in match play, study finds

- BY SUNDAY MIRROR REPORTER

A MAJOR new study has revealed that most injuries in Leinster schoolboy rugby happen during matches - and nearly half occur in the tackle.

The RCSI research tracked 463 players from 16 schools, with an average age of 17, competing in the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup squads across a 20-week playing season.

It was found that the tackle accounted for 49% of all injuries, with the tackler more often hurt at 30%, compared with 19% for the ball carrier.

"Injury prevention strategies should therefore be prioritised around match play situations, particularly tackling," said Dr Sarah Murphy, one of the study authors.

"Focus can be placed on tackle technique as this is the most common mechanism of injury found in research."

Tackling was the single biggest cause of match injuries at 25%, followed by being tackled at 19%, and collisions at 13%.