Playing rugby
Normal playing kit comprises a club jersey, club shorts and club socks, all available in the clubhouse, and suitable footwear. A well-fitting gumshield should also be worn, certainly from under 9 upwards when tackling is first encountered, but recommended below that age in case of accidental contact.
Track suits are also available and are recommended for before and after training or playing, but not during - track suit bottoms can become caked with mud and very heavy.
Other 'safety' items can be worn:
- headguards - useful for reducing chafing on ears in the scrum. Debatable use in other situations because having merely one eighth of an inch of foam enclosing your head does not turn you into Superman! It can also get very hot inside a headguard. If a player uses one, it has to be recommended by the IRB, so should carry an IRB mark
- padding - may reduce surface bruising in collisions. Again, wearing padding does not confer superhuman strength on its wearer! Padding should also carry the IRB-approved mark, but note that for matches padding is only legal on the shoulders (and chest for females) - some padding is sold as approved, but has a (removable) pad over the sternum, which is not legal for matches (but can be used for training)
- shinpads - useful if the player is playing in the front row of the scrum.
