Data from the mouthguards will be sent directly to pitch-side doctors to quickly decide whether a player needs to be taken off for a head injury assessment following a heavy collision.
“This will, for the first time, enable players who have experienced a high acceleration event, but not shown symptoms or been seen by broadcast cameras, to be taken off and assessed.” The mouthguards will be required during training and matches, which should also help coaches tailor each player’s drills, tackle skills, and training loads.
“The latest scientific research and expert opinion is telling us one thing — reduce the forces players experience on their heads at all levels of the game. That is exactly what we’re doing,” said World Rugby chief medical officer Eanna Falvey.