Rugby Sport Science

Rugby Sport Science aims to provide a mechanism to bring together the expertise of academics and professionals working in the game, sharing rugby science practice and enhancing the scientific study of the game to bridge the gap between research and practice where possible. The Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRIS) Project is an active project within this theme, and is partnered with the national governing body for Rugby (IRFU). The project aims to enhance the health and welfare of Rugby Union players across the domestic game in Ireland by providing information on injury patterns that can impact on IRFU policy regarding injury prevention measures.

Objectives

Provide rugby science and injury epidemiology research expertise to bridge the gap between clinical, coaching, and playing practices.
Establish a long-term academic partnership with the national governing body in Rugby Injury Science.

Funding

2016-2030 IRFU funding tender
2026 Erasmus+ International Mobility
2025 EHS PhD scholarship
2024 Irish Research Council PhD scholarship
2024 Erasmus+ International Mobility
2023 UPMC Ireland
2020 Irish Research Council postdoctoral fellowship
2019 Health Research Institute UL
2019 2024 Irish Research Council PhD scholarship
Total €3.1million

Impact

Annual injury surveillance national reports
30 journal papers
86 conference presentation & keynotes
10 PhD, 1 postdoc, 19 MSc, 12 UG, 3 intern
IOC’s consensus statement 2020 inclusion
ENGAGE IRFU player performance & robustness injury prevention programme
IRFU & World Rugby reporting
World Rugby - IRFU tackle behaviour height trial trend analysis implementation as law
Breast health education

Studies

Player loading
Tackle and non-tackle related injuries
Professional game concussion biomarkers
Concussion treatment practices
ENGAGE injury reduction intervention & coach education
Underage schoolboy longitudinal injury surveillance
Community game adult male and female longitudinal injury surveillance
Breast health
REDs injury and illness prevalence
Training injury surveillance
Artificial surface injury analysis
Tackle behaviour change impact analysis

Theme leads

Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRIS) Project

Learn more about the IRIS Project