Summary

Injuries present an unfortunate but inherent possibility in sport, with various consequent challenges for stakeholders. Evidence suggests that the average elite women’s rugby team may lose a player to injury between every one to six matches played, with 1 to 64 days lost to injury per match. The lower limb is the most reported injured body region, and in particular the knee, ankle and posterior thigh are common injury sites. Additionally, the upper limb and head / neck regions are also notable injury sites. Joint injuries, as well as concussion, muscle / tendon and bone injuries are among the most common injury types. The tackle situation and injuries occurring later during matches are also findings that can be useful to know in planning the coaching or conditioning needs of players. Although training injury risk is far exceeded by match injury risk, the relatively common reporting of injuries during contact training activities should lead coaches to think about balancing the need to develop players’ contact skills without presenting players with an excessive risk of injury.