Injury Trends Across Two Seasons Of Senior Cup Schoolboy Rugby Union In Ireland.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to establish the profile of injuries sustained in Senior Cup schoolboy (under 19) Rugby Union in accordance with the definition of injury outlined in the 2007 World Rugby Consensus Statement. To design and implement efficacious injury prevention strategies, the scope of injury risk must be established. METHODS: Schools participating in provincial Senior Cup competitions were recruited. In Ireland, this represents the most elite level of play for schoolboy rugby (Under 19). Each team electronically registered their players and designated an injury recorder to report injuries onto an online secure portal (IRISweb). Physiotherapists, nurses, or coaches adopted this role. Injuries were reported throughout two consecutive seasons each lasting eight months in 2018/19 and 2019/20. Injury specific data such as mechanism, nature, body location, diagnosis and return to play date were recorded. Injury severity was calculated using the number of days absent from participation in school rugby activities. Match exposure was adjusted for forwards and backs. RESULTS: 665 players from 23 schools participated across 220 matches. A total of 207 match time-loss injuries were recorded. The overall team match time-loss injury incidence was 53.6/1000 hours. The most common injury diagnoses were concussions (14%), ankle sprains (13%) and shoulder sprains (10%). The shoulder was the most common injury location (23%). Forwards sustained significantly (p < 0.05) more injuries than backs overall and when analysing by injury type; forwards sustained significantly (p < 0.05) more head and shoulder injuries than backs. The second row (no. 4 & 5) suffered the most match injuries (15%) followed by the blindside flanker (no. 6) at 13%. The tackle event accounted for the most common injury mechanism (64%). Shoulder dislocations carried the highest injury burden accounting for 16% of all severe match injuries (>28 days absence) and resulted in an average of 68 days absence from Rugby activities. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the need for position-specific and location-specific injury prevention strategies given the higher rate of injuries in the forwards and the increased risk of shoulder injuries overall. Supported by the Irish Rugby Football Union, the Irish Research Council, and the HRI at UL.