Rugby's Growing Popularity Among Women Needs Better Science and Safety Focus

Women's rugby is becoming more popular and professional, but the science and safety measures aren't keeping up. Most research is based on men, even though women face different health and injury issues. This new collection of research in the European Journal of Sport Science aims to change that. It focuses on three main areas: tracking women's injuries and illnesses, making tackles safer, and understanding the broader challenges women face in rugby. One big issue is that female players often have different health needs, like breast and pelvic floor health.The research also highlights the importance of training coaches to teach tackle skills in a way that's right for women. Plus, it looks at how social and material issues affect marginalized women and girls in the sport. The goal is to make sure that as women's rugby becomes more professional, the science behind it gets better too. This isn't just about celebrating progress; it's about making sure women rugby players get the support they need throughout their careers.