Rugby union is a full-contact team sport that originated in England, generally known as rugby. However, rugby, unlike other sports, is indeed a very violent game. It’s a full-contact sport where injuries can be expected. In order to play the game to the fullest, it is important to make use of the right and best rugby equipment. So here we are, with the important equipment for the game that you must have in 2021.
You need to find the best and suitable ones to ace your game among the thousands of rugby equipment available on the market. Instead of going for the running of the mill products available on the market, you must make sure that you invest in high quality products. And don’t worry, you have come to the right place to consider some of the best rugby equipment before making your pick. One by one let’s find out about the best equipment required for rugby.
Best Rugby Equipment | What Equipment is Used for Rugby?
Sports equipment are tools, items, and garments that are part of a sport. They differ in accordance with the sport. As we promised, we will take a look at the rugby equipment in this article.
Rugby Equipment Checklist
So, in the following checklist, you can see the appropriate equipment to play rugby.
- Rugby Ball
- Goal Posts
- Uniform
- Base Layer
- Rugby Shoes
- Socks
- Mouth Guard
- Shoulder Pads / Upper Body Padding
- Headgear / Scrum Caps
- Tackle Bags
- Tackle Tubes
- Tackle Suits
- Scrum Machine
- Cones
In the following sections, we have classified the above equipment as basic rugby equipment, protective gear and equipment needed for training. To find out about them, simply keep reading.
How Much Does Best Rugby Equipment Cost?
Generally speaking, for less than $200 in total, all required and simple rugby gear can usually be found. The cost can be a little higher when buying extra training equipment, and it can add up to around $50 (this is not the case if you opt for a scrum machine, you’ll see why when scrolling through this article).
Basic Rugby Equipment
A ball, shoes, and uniforms are the most basic pieces of equipment necessary for a rugby match. Let’s talk about them and a couple of others.
Rugby Ball
First of all, you need a ball to play rugby. A rugby ball originally called a quanco is an elongated ellipsoidal ball. It is oval in shape, has four panels, and is around 400 grams in weight. Some balls with equivalent dimensions feature in American, Canadian, and Australian football, but they are not the same. World Rugby and the Rugby League International Federation, the governing bodies for all codes determine the measurements and weight of rugby balls.
Best rugby equipment to try – Best rugby balls!
We’ve looked at a number of rugby balls available on the market, and our suggestions are as follows for the best rugby balls.
- Gilbert Unisex G-TR4000 Rugby Ball
- Gilbert England Rugby Ball
- Mitre Sabre Rugby Training Ball
Keep scrolling to find more about the best from Gilbert and Mitre.
Gilbert Unisex G-TR4000 Rugby Ball – fine choice as one of the best rugby equipment!
A high-quality option from a well-respected brand is the Gilbert G-TR4000 training ball. In the last 6 Rugby World Cups, Gilbert’s rugby balls were used and are regularly used in the Aviva Premiership. The G-TR4000 is their most famous training ball and the highest selling one. Features that stand out above the rest of this ball is its grip and consistency. When passing it around, it is very easy to handle and cuts through the air well. Hand-stitched G-TR4000 and comes in black, blue, navy, red, and florescent yellow colors.
Gilbert England Rugby Ball
These are ideal for any rugby enthusiast or player wishing to support their home country while relaxing in the manic lifestyle of the 21st century, according to Gilbert. This one features 100% durable synthetic material and latex bladder, incorporating the proprietary Truflight technology from Gilbert. Showcasing the traditional rugby ball colors of England, blue and red run around the ball along each of the four sides and compliment the signature Gilbert branding and English red rose. This one is perfect for training, matches, or even leisure use.
Mitre Sabre Rugby Training Ball
Mitre is another major rugby brand. The Sabre is a sturdy ball that helps especially for the surroundings of the rugby training ground. Designed for optimum grip from a rubber compound surface and deep pimple emboss. Flexible extension of the adaptor enables movement when inflating. It is very fast and easy to inflate, according to user feedback. The presence of the lively graphics makes it more visual for the player with disruptive organic shapes. This one is available in neon green and bright yellow other than white.
Goal Posts
All right, now you have a rugby ball and players, and then what? How are you going to score? This is where the goalposts are essential! At both ends of the field, rugby goal posts are positioned in the middle of the goal line. The measurements of the rugby post are generally as follows:
- 3m must be the top edge of the cross bar, which lies horizontally between the goal posts.
- The top edge of the cross bar must be 3m above the ground. By kicking the ball over the crossbar, teams can also score points (drop goal).
- For each post, the minimum height is 3.4m and they must be placed 5.6m apart.
Uniform
The two most important components of a rugby team uniform are jerseys and shorts.
Jersey
A rugby shirt, also known as a rugby jersey, is worn by rugby union players or rugby league players. It typically has short sleeves, although it is also popular to have long sleeves. In a similar style to polo shirts but with a stiffer collar, rugby shirts have a buttoned opening at the top.
The numbers in the jersey are determined by the position on the field.
- The players in the scrum (forwards) are 1-8.
- The players in the scrum half is 9.
- The players in the backs are 10-15.
The fabric is usually heavy because of the nature of the game. Initially, the jersey/ shirt was made of heavy-duty cotton. But they opt for synthetic fabrics that do not soak up water as cotton gets very heavy when it rains. A combination of cotton and polyester are the two most common fabrics. Also, rugby shirts typically have rubber buttons so that if pulled on in a game, they will come undone rather than pop off.
However, you just need to make sure you have a jersey that fits right. Because it will tear if it is too tight, and it makes it easier for you to tackle if it is too big.
Short
The other half of the uniform is the shorts. Compared to football shorts, these shorts are more flexible, but less stretchy. Their rigidity ensures that, when in the field, they can handle the wear and tear associated with catching and tackling. There are no pockets in rugby shorts and will usually finish above the knee.
Similar to the jersey, the shorts also feature thick material and stitching so that other players and teammates can tug their shorts. In addition, for Second Row Forwards, there are unique types of shorts. They now use special line-out shorts that have reinforced stitching to help them get lifted out of the line.
To ensure that it is not easily pulled down, each short is necessary to be a tight fit around the waist region. You may want to make sure, though, that your shorts are comfortable, as if the shorts are too tight, which could not only be uncomfortable, but also cause injury.
Base Layer
It is important to select the right layers while taking part in any outdoor sport. To maintain the correct body temperature, a base layer is necessary and will help remove moisture often caused by sweat from the skin to avoid dampness and cold settling in. So, by investing in a new base layer, you remain cool, dry, and not bothered by sun, humidity, or rain. Both tops and bottoms may refer to the term base layer.
Best rugby equipment to try – Best rugby base layers!
Owing to the large number of base layers available on the market, buying a new base layer can be quite daunting. No worries. We’ve already listed three of the best choices worth looking at.
- ATHLIO Men’s Cool Dry Fit Long Sleeve Compression Shirts
- Under Armour Men’s HeatGear Armour Compression Long Sleeve T-Shirt
- DEVOPS 2~3 Pack Men’s Athletic Long Sleeve Compression Shirts
Let’s see their characteristics one by one in the following section.
ATHLIO Men’s Cool Dry Fit Long Sleeve Compression Shirts – fine choice as one of the best rugby equipment!
The ATHLIO brand has established itself as a leader in the sportswear industry. Compression shirts for men from ATHLIO features polyester and spandex. This athletic cooling base layer is suitable for a wide range of sports, including rugby, running, baseball, basketball, and soccer, as well as gym training and most active workouts. Athletic fabric of superior elasticity and toughness that is non-abrasion. Furthermore, this helps to reduce muscle fatigue by absorbing muscle vibrations. The compressive fit efficiently supports your body while also improving efficiency and decreasing recovery time. Moisture sensing, fast time drying, and two-way air circulation are also included in the performance-enhancing fabric. Compression for defense more than 99% of harmful UV rays are blocked by this shirt (UPF 50+).
Under Armour Men’s Heat Gear Armour Compression Long Sleeve T-Shirt
This is like a second skin undershirt or main shirt that allows air to circulate, keeps the player cool, and protects against UV sun rays, most importantly. With all the advantages of UA Compression, the HeatGear fabric is comfortable enough to wear all day long. Strategic ventilation is provided by stretch-mesh underarm plates. UPF 30 protects the skin from harmful rays from the sun. In every direction, 4-way stretch construction is moving better. It features 84% polyester and 16% elastane, respectively and the material wicks sweat and dry very easily. Anti-odor technology prevents odor-causing microbes from developing.
DEVOPS 2~3 Pack Men’s Athletic Long Sleeve Compression Shirts
This one is suitable for all-season, so it will give you a great performance in both hot and cold weather. Using DEVOPS Men’s Athletic Long Sleeve Compression Shirt, sweat and moisture can be easily drained from the skin. Furthermore, it allow for quick sweat air drying to avoid clothing sticking to the body. Aside from that, it has 4-way stretch, moisture wicking, two-way air circulation, and quick-dry properties.
Rugby Shoes
In reality, a successful player’s strength starts from being comfortable in his equipment, and the best rugby shoes should be on anyone’s top rugby shopping list. Although there are over 100 shoe styles in the athletic footwear market, including hiking shoes, football boots, hockey shoes, skate boots, field hockey shoes or basketball shoes, etc., it is important to know that each and every one of them has a particular purpose and is built for a specific area. For instance, even when it comes to running, you need unique types of running shoes that suit your purpose, such as long-distance running shoes, cushioned shoes, running shoes for beginners, etc. Similarly, to win a rugby game, you need a pair of the best rugby shoes!
When you play sports, the type of shoes you wear can have a great effect on your game. If you trust your best pair of rugby shoes, it’s fair that you play on the field naturally. This is why the best rugby shoes are very important for any rugby player, regardless of seniority, among other things. So, you will need a sturdy pair of boots that are ideal for the conditions with studs or cleats.
The purchase of the best rugby shoes would be determined by a number of factors, with the position of the player being a major one. The materials, design, size and fit, comfort and value are other things to consider.
Best rugby equipment to try – Best rugby shoes!
Following is a list of twelve of the best rugby shoes designed by top sports brands such as, Adidas, Nike, Asics, Under Armour, etc.
- Adidas Kakari SG Rugby Shoes
- Adidas SS17 Adizero Malice SG Rugby Shoes
- Adidas Men’s Predator Malice SG Rugby Shoes
- Asics Lethal Tackle, Men’s Rugby Shoes
- Asics Men’s GEL-Lethal Speed Rugby Shoes
- Nike Tiempo Legend VII FG Rugby Shoes
- Under Armour CoreSpeed Rugby Shoes
- Under Armour Men’s Force 3.0 Rugby Shoes
- Canterbury Speed 3.0 Pro SG Rugby Shoes
- Puma King Pro H8 Rugby Shoes
- Gilbert Celera V3 HI 8S Rugby Shoes
- Gilbert Kaizen 3.0 Power SG Rugby Shoes
The article on the best rugby shoes will lead you through the features, advantages, and disadvantages of the shoes mentioned above.
Socks
Do you think it’ll be enough to get a pair of rugby shoes? What about socks? Yes, Socks! Because of every piece of cloth matters!
Rugby socks are similar to long socks that can be seen in other sports, such as soccer. To cover the knee caps and calves, they are designed just below the knee to be pulled up. These socks are meant to be hard-wearing. Similar to those used on jerseys, the colors used to decorate the socks are similar. Proper fitting is necessary to ensure that they will not fall down when playing and to help avoid blisters as well. So, after choosing a good pair of rugby boots for yourself, try to match it with a comfortable pair of socks.
Best rugby equipment to try – Best rugby socks!
We’ve mentioned two of the best options worth looking at, when looking for rugby socks.
- Adidas Unisex Rivalry Field OTC Socks
- Retro 3 Stripe Tube Socks
You will find out one by one about the characteristics of the three best rugby socks mentioned above. Let’s start out with Gilbert Rugby Mens Kryten II Rugby Socks.
Adidas Unisex Rivalry Field OTC Socks – fine choice as one of the best rugby equipment!
To keep your feet, dry from sweat, a great all-around sock with moisture-wicking wool. This features a completely cushioned footbed for maximum shock absorption, while arch and ankle compression offers additional stability.
Retro 3 Stripe Tube Socks
If we look at the quality of the fabric, it is 67% cotton, 15% acrylic, 13% nylon, and 5% elastic. You will enjoy the comfort of a quality cotton sock featuring ribbed legging that helps keep the sock in place. Plus, this one comes with robust construction and quality fibers. These socks are made to last and will inspire you to stand out on the court or field.
What Protective Gear is Used in Rugby?
Rugby players wear a mouth guard, little or no padding on their shoulders, and maybe a thin headgear. When you consider the amount of protective gear allowed by football and rugby, it is one of the main distinctions between the two games. Because unlike rugby players, football players can be seen in large pads and heavy helmets.
Mouth Guard
Did you know that over 60% of rugby union players suffer orofacial traumas and injuries? But, the necessity of mouth guards depends to a great extent on where you play rugby today. However, dental and orofacial injuries alone do not affect pro players. They can happen to anyone, which is why by wearing a mouth guard you must always keep yourself safe.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) allows its players to wear mouth guards. Since instructing the use of mouth guards, New Zealand states that there’s a 43% drop in dental claims. Rugby Australia notes that players should wear mouth guards, but not mandated. England Rugby allows mouth guard use by school players above school level, but it does not go so far as to mandate them for all rugby players. USA Rugby says that mouth guards must be worn by players in the United States.
Even if the rules of your team don’t mandate you to wear a mouth guard during play, it can reduce the risk that a player will damage their front teeth by up to 90%.
Best rugby equipment to try – Best rugby mouth guards!
We picked four of the best mouth guards available in the market, just as we did with other best rugby equipment.
- Venum Challenger Mouth Guard
- SISU Aero 1.6mm Sports Mouth Guard
- OPRO Platinum Level Mouth Guard
- SISU Max 2.4mm Sports Mouth Guard
In fact, you can see why we recommend them to you in the following paragraphs. Let’s start with the Venum Challenger Mouth Guard.
Venum Challenger Mouth Guard – fine choice as one of the best rugby equipment!
This is one of the Shock Doctor brand’s finest mouth guards. This one features high-quality materials that guarantee the test of time stands. For every form of teeth out there, the latest gel fit is fine. It’s easy to install and offers a comfortable fit. The shock frame offers protection even against the most difficult impacts. The mouth guard features integrated breathing channels that are perfect for fast breathing. Don’t hesitate to use this one for union games, because it’s incredibly comfortable!
SISU Aero 1.6mm Sports Mouth Guard
The medium sports mouth guard promises quality dental safety. Average mouths or athletes between 5 and 6 feet tall match this one. The Aero’s ultralight construction is 50% thinner at just 1.6 mm thick than traditional sports mouth guards, offering optimum ease and satisfaction. The slim, tailored fit makes it easy to talk, breathe, and drink without removing the guard, which helps to improve hygiene. Diffusix technology distributes impact forces from contact team sports. SISU guards feature a wider bite pad, rounded edges for comfort, and enhanced mold-ability to ensure a perfect match. You can use hot water at home to mold or re-mold this mouth guard quickly and easily.
OPRO Platinum Level Mouth Guard
As it is used by many professionals out there, such as New Zealand Rugby, you can note this as a great mouth guard to try! High impact blows are absorbed by the ultra-impact resistant outer layer and the force spreads over a wider area, protecting the teeth and gums from damage. In the fitting process (the method of fitting takes less than 3 minutes) the fitting fins break down to grip your teeth in all the right places. This makes you relax, speak, and concentrate on the game. Suitable for all ball, stick, and fighting sports, including rugby, hockey, and boxing. For peace of mind, each Platinum Mouth Guard comes with an extended $17,500 dental warranty for 18 months. Apart from the above amazing features, there is something to note. This one is not compatible with braces, unfortunately.
SISU Max 2.4mm Sports Mouth Guard
For players aged 11 and up, including adults, SISU Max mouth guards provide premium, guaranteed dental security. The Max provides the most protection of any SISU guard and is still 30% thinner (2.4 mm thick) than regular sports mouth guards. However, this mouth guard is perfect for rugby. Without removing the guard, the slim, personalized fit makes it easy to speak (makes it ideal for team sports), breathe, and drink. The technology of Diffusix distributes impact forces from contact games scientifically. SISU guards feature a wider bite pad, rounded edges for comfort, and improved mold-ability compared to the original to ensure a seamless match.
Shoulder Pads / Upper Body Padding
Another piece of protective equipment that is essential to rugby players is shoulder pads (but not mandatory). Pros are only permitted to have shoulder pads that are no thicker than 1 cm. While the pads themselves are very thin, when making tackles, they are helpful to minimize shoulder damage. In addition, there is also some additional protective material over your chest in the rugby upper body padding, which is another of the most vulnerable body parts. Check out the Barnett RSP-PRO 8 Rugby shoulder pad pro.
Barnett RSP-PRO 8 Rugby Shoulder Pad Pro – fine choice as one of the best rugby equipment!
This one offers 8 components of protection for your arms, chest and shoulders, and also is certified by CE IRB. Features 100% nylon and spandex, EVA foam extended and thermoformed. It is also available for use in both competitions and training sessions.
Headgear / Scrum Caps
Over the years, rugby players have always had some form of protective headgear, but headgear regulations became stringent after the game became professional in 1995. Typically, the rugby headgear consists of light synthetic fabrics to help protect a player from head injuries. This is particularly important for the front row, as it helps to avoid head and ear injuries as their heads are in the scrum.
Best rugby equipment to try – Best rugby headgear!
To come up with the best rugby headgear, we checked the numbers of new innovations available on the market. The following will assist you to play at your best, like the pros, rain-or-shine.
- EliteTek Soft Padded Headgear
- Surlim Rugby Soft Helmet Soccer Headgear Scrum Cap
- Tychon Premium Soft Padded Headgear
Follow up the next section to see why we have recommended them.
EliteTek Soft Padded Headgear
This one is accredited to comply with World Rugby Regulations by the International Rugby Board via strict examination. And did you know that one of the few helmets on the market to appear on the World Rugby Approved Equipment List is the EliteTek headgear? By protecting against cuts and abrasions, EliteTek’s latest design proves to be the safest and fast fitting headgear on the market.
Surlim Rugby Soft Helmet Soccer Headgear Scrum Cap – for kids
This lightweight, soft Surlim Rugby Soft Helmet Soccer Headgear Scrum Cap is made from high-density foam and polyester. Adjustable chin strap and rear laces ensure that the fit is right and worn comfortably. This headgear features several air vents during the play to discharge heat and moisture, which is useful for keeping the head dry.
Tychon Premium Soft Padded Headgear
Tychon Premium Soft Padded headgear or Protection Scrum Cap is designed for both youth and adults, and is made with quality. Why do we say so? If you try this one, you can see that it features durable stitching, precisely cut parts and simple adjustment that are built into this high quality foam helmet.
What do I need for rugby training?
Tackle bags, tackle tubes, tackle suits, scrum machine and cones are some of the equipment you need for rugby training apart from the basic rugby equipment and protective gear.
And remember, ‘practice makes perfect’ is not just a saying. Indeed, with proper training or practice, most of the things we do in our lives will have better outcomes.
Tackle Bags
Tackle Bags are also known as Tackle Pads or Hit Shields. The tackle bag, which assists during training and warm-up in rugby union, is one of the most often used items during rugby training sessions. Tackle bags are padded equipment that makes it possible for players to tackle without involving another player. They are useful for tackling, rucking, and bringing into touch as they limit the impact force in the crash when players are working at full speed on the technique. These bags come in two forms: the rucking shield and the tackle bag. The rucking shield is held in a coach’s or fellow player’s hand and enables the tackler to drive safely towards the person holding the shield. The tackle bag stands loosely supported by another person on the ground and helps the tackler to practice a full tackle.
Tackle Tubes
A tackle tube is a moving target that allows players with complete protection to develop tackling techniques. It is an inflatable ring, especially popular with mini and junior players. This is perfectly movable at all speeds and angles to accommodate all levels, providing versatile tackling practice. This enables players to determine distance, pace, impact, and timing accurately when tackling and improve technique.
Tackle Suits
In recent training sessions, tackle suits have become even more common, particularly amongst professional clubs that train several times a week. While reducing the chance of injury, the suit allows for more aggressive contact during training sessions. The lightweight suit has a similar fit with Lycra for stability and comfort to allow free movement of the arms and upper body, not negatively affecting movement and enabling players to practice at game speed. The suit covers the upper arm, elbows, base of the spine, rib cage, collarbone, sternum, kidneys and abdomen with 17 strategically positioned pads stitched into the stretch fabric. RAM Rugby Tackle suit proves to be a great option and let’s see why.
Scrum Machine
When it comes to establishing unity in your forward pack, a scrum machine is priceless. By squaring off the first team players with the second team players, it’s almost difficult to establish a practical situation during practice. This is a padded, weighty structure that provides teams with a secure method to develop their players’ strengths and skills. A simultaneous movement in the strike, shunt, and drive is the perfect engagement of a pack into a scrum. It is the instant force exerted, not the sum of all forces over time, that makes the difference.
You don’t have to buy this as an individual, due to its cost. A scrum machine is mostly and only for if you have a full team as they are very costly (we are talking about thousands of dollars here). But if your team is looking for a scrum machine, try the Predator Kiwi Sled as a starter.
Cones
Rugby cones are another piece of equipment which is important for training. Rugby cones are useful in a wide variety of activities, most commonly as a spot marker for various distances for a player to run and cross. During the drills, the cones often come handy as markers to see how close players hit the goal. In addition, you can place cones along the sidelines as well as to mark the scoring area.
9 Inch Sports Cones
This one is 5.5 inches in diameter and measures 9 inches in height. If it’s windy, you don’t have to worry about it blowing in the entire spot, because this one features four holes on cones for attachment. Bright LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene Vinyl) neon colors make it easy to see. This cone outrun other cheaper cones with thicker material. These rugby cones are suitable for all surfaces including grass, concrete, artificial turf, etc.
Injury Rate in Rugby
An injury to the spinal cord is uncommon but severe. Injury rates recorded are around 7 and 18 injuries per 1,000 hours played, with the rate of injuries resulting in play or training time loss estimated at 6.5-10.6 per 1,000 hours played. With age and level of qualification, accident rates are increasing. Head and concussion injuries accounted for 10-40% of all injuries.
In the UNSW report, in the under 13-year age group, concussion accounted for 25% of injuries contributing to the loss of playing or training time. Upper and lower extremity injuries distributed similarly, with the predominant form of injury being musculoskeletal injuries. Fractures in the upper extremity and ankle observed, and the elbow, knee, and ankle were affected by joint/ligament injuries. And do you know that about 50% of all injuries are connected with the tackle? The scrum has caused fewer injuries but is associated generally with damage to the spinal cord.
Best Rugby Equipment | Conclusion
You can see that rugby is a full-contact sport where injuries are very common. Therefore, you have to be very cautious on the field. So, in the middle of the hustles, if you want to keep your dream alive, you can start by finding the best rugby equipment in the first place. But what equipment exactly are you going to get? It is all down to personal preference. Indeed, there is no better choice than the one that feels right for you. The selection we discussed above should be a place to start.
Also keep in mind, the best equipment would probably make you a good player, apart from your skills and experience. You may note that in this article there are a number of pricey options. But when you consider the design attributes, they are all worth the cost. The difference between getting a good or bad experience on the field, running in comfort or discomfort, and most importantly, whether you stay safe from injury or not due to the choice of rugby equipment, is entirely up to you to decide.
However, we hope this helps you find the right rugby equipment for yourself. To conclude, gift yourself with the best of rugby equipment and conquer the field with pride!
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