Are Rugby Players Getting Too Big?

Growing up – without intentionally realising – the beautiful part of playing Rugby was that the game was accessible to everyone of all different shapes and sizes; traditionally from the bigger front row lads to the smaller no.9, to the slightly more slender whippets on the wing. There is a role for everyone on the rugby pitch from 1 to 15. As a prop forward, it was obvious the advantage of being bigger and stronger had on the field, particularly at the contact area. Watching modern day rugby players on TV, it’s evident that the traditional roles are changing, and that everyone on the field, is well… BIG!

Over the years, advancements in sports science, technology, and nutrition have enabled athletes to better their predecessors; they are now bigger, faster and stronger than ever! But what does this mean for the rugby players of this world at the elite level?

“The Numbers speak for themselves…”

Comparing the statistics of past rugby players with current, the numbers are very telling. The average weight of an England player in 1994 was 92.3kg. The average weight of an England player in 2014 was 105.1kg. That’s a whole 2st 1lbs heavier!

“Bigger doesn’t always mean better!”

Bigger men colliding together means bigger injuries! In Rugby there is an increasing concern regarding the increase in the amount of injuries and particular emphasis on the rise in concussions at a whopping 400% in the last 10 years. Can this injury rate be attributed to the increasing size in player?

When big George North entered the scene he crushed the traditional idea of a slender winger at a great size of 6ft 4inches and 109kg. Additionally the winger has highlighted the rising issue of the contact area, being concussed 5 times in the last 2 years and twice in one game!

Do the authorities in the world of rugby union have a greater duty to protect the players?