Protective equipment and clothing guidelines

Rugby is expanding quickly at all ages and with that comes more cross-over from other sports and activities. Players and coaches are bringing new techniques and skills from these other sports but with them come some protective gear that is not allowed in rugby. This document is meant to clarify what is allowed and not allowed in the sport of contact rugby.

A couple items of note:

  • There is no difference for the game of Sevens, Tens or Fifteens; illegal is illegal
  • There are different policies for men and women, but very few differences. Chest padding is allowed for women, but not men. Hijab headscarves and cotton oneseam tights are allowed for women for purposes of religious modesty. Best practice is when the headscarf is worn under a scrum cap.
  • Please do not waiver on these banned items; they are for the safety of all players. If a player cannot play without a banned item, they should not be playing contact rugby until healthy enough to participate without that item.
  • Banned items identification falls to every player and coach to police their own athletes and teams. The referee is only there as a final word on the item.