With the Women’s Rugby World Cup fast approaching in August, it’s a good time to talk about something all too familiar for players, coaches, and therapists alike: injuries. Rugby is a fast-paced, high-contact sport, and injuries do happen, but many of them are manageable, and can even be prevented with the right preparation and early recognition.Having spent time around rugby pitches (and injured players), here are some of the usual suspects I see crop up, but of course, the list is non-exhaustive.
Shoulder Dislocations
Thanks to all the tackling, collisions, and general chaos, shoulder injuries are a frequent flyer in rugby. An important injury that needs special attention are anterior shoulder dislocations, where the upper arm bone (humerus) pops forwards out of the shoulder socket.
This can happen during contact, particularly when falling on an outstretched arm, getting caught in a ruck, or receiving a direct blow to the shoulder. When it happens, players usually feel a sudden onset of pain, a marked loss of movement, and might even see or feel an obvious deformity. There may also be numbness or tingling in the arm due to nerve involvement.
If this happens to you, don’t try to relocate it yourself, and please don’t let a teammate give it a go either. The shoulder is surrounded by important structures: blood vessels, nerves, and the rotator cuff tendons and so forcing the joint back in without proper assessment could cause serious complications. Support your arm with a sling (or your other arm or wrap it up in your shirt), keep it still, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The longer-term management of shoulder dislocations varies and is dependent on a few things
- age
- how many times it has happened
- and associated trauma such as fractures or muscle tears
Some people may be offered surgery depending on the severity of the injury, but most will be offered a healthy dose of physiotherapy or sports therapy and will see an improvement in their symptoms with prevention of recurrence if they stick to a good programme.
Hamstring Strains
Hamstring injuries are notoriously common in sports that involve sprinting and rapid acceleration, so it’s no surprise that they’re a regular occurrence in rugby. While anyone can be affected, backs are particularly prone due to the high-speed demands of their position.
The hamstrings play a key role in both hip and knee movement, and they also help control movement at the shin, protecting other structures like the ACL. If the hamstrings are tight, under-conditioned, or simply fatigued, they’re more likely to strain or even tear, especially when a player is sprinting, sidestepping, or changing direction quickly.
Early signs might include a sudden twinge or sharp pain at the back of the thigh, sometimes followed by bruising or stiffness. If you feel this, you may need to stop playing, rest and let the pitch side therapist assess you if you happen to have one.
Continuing to train or play can turn a minor strain into a more significant injury. Regular strength and mobility work, alongside a structured warm-up, is key for reducing the risk.
Hand and Finger Injuries
Between catching egg-shaped balls, scrummaging, and battling through rucks, hands and fingers take quite a beating in rugby. One common injury mechanism is hyperextension, where the fingers or thumb are forced backwards beyond their normal range. A well-known example is “Skier’s Thumb” (or “Gamekeeper’s Thumb”), which involves injury to a key ligament at the base of the thumb.
Many often assume that finger and thumb injuries aren’t a big deal, especially since many can still move the joint, however this mindset can delay proper diagnosis and treatment. If you’re noticing excessive swelling, pain, or a feeling of instability in the joint, it’s worth getting checked out. Similarly, if there’s a new “clicking” sensation or a visible deformity, that could indicate a torn ligament or tendon.
One other specific condition to look out for is mallet finger, where the tip of the finger droops and will not straighten. This happens when the tendon that extends the tip of the finger is ruptured, usually by direct trauma (like being hit with a ball or boot). Treatment may involve splinting and hand therapy; sometimes surgery may be required. Therefore, leaving it untreated can lead to long-term dysfunction so it’s best not to ignore these signs.
If in doubt, get it assessed. While the “just tape it and crack on” approach is very rugby-core, it’s much better to spend a bit of time with a physio/sports therapist than end up unable to tie your boots. Or worse, be unable to give a proper thumbs up again!
Concussion
Awareness around concussion has improved significantly in recent years, and with good reason. A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, neck, or even a heavy impact to the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.
Symptoms may begin immediately after the incident or can develop gradually over 24 to 48 hours. These might include a vacant expression, headaches, nausea, dizziness, light sensitivity, or even brief loss of consciousness (though this is relatively rare).
When it comes to concussion, the golden rule is: if in doubt, sit them out, no ifs, no buts. Players should not return to play until they have been fully assessed and have completed a graded return-to-play protocol. Returning to rugby too early can lead to a rare but serious condition known as Second Impact Syndrome, where a second head injury occurs before the brain has healed from the first which can potentially lead to severe complications.
Visit ‘Headcase‘ on the RFU’s website it is an excellent resource for players, coaches, and families who want more information about recognising and managing concussion.
And yes, it can be challenging to convince a player to come off the pitch when they feel fine, or to keep them out of games during recovery. But when it comes to brain health, caution is not optional, it’s essential.
Final Thoughts
Rugby will always come with a risk of injury, that’s part of the nature of such a physically demanding sport. But that doesn’t mean injuries have to be inevitable. With proper training, early recognition of symptoms, and a willingness to rest when needed, many injuries can be prevented or significantly reduced.
If something feels wrong, get it checked. Early treatment makes a big difference, and there’s no shame in taking time out to recover properly. It means more game time in the long run, and a better shot at staying on the pitch where you belong.
If you’re a member of MARLBOROUGH RUGBY CLUB we will give you 10% discount, so call 07958 599716 or book online, let’s get you sorted BEFORE PRE SEASON starts!
