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Objectives To ascertain the extent of injury surveillance and prevention practices currently in operation and the availability of qualified personnel across Rugby playing schools in the Republic of Ireland. Design Cross-sectional survey design. Setting Rugby playing schools across Ireland. Participants The Rugby games master, head Rugby coach or teacher/coach with knowledge of all Rugby activities in the school. Results Ninety-three Rugby playing schools responded and reported 356 (97% male, 3% female) school Rugby teams. Rugby injuries were formally monitored in 86% of schools. Injury recorders were primarily coaches (61%). Physiotherapy provision was available in 28% of schools, 14% of schools provided access to a medical doctor and 44% of schools provided access to an S&C coach. Structured warm-ups were undertaken in 66% of schools, weekly gym sessions in 49% of schools and 31% of schools did not implement any formal injury prevention measures. Conclusions Injury monitoring practices, medical personnel accessibility and the frequency of injury prevention practices varies considerably across Rugby playing schools in Ireland. Future injury surveillance and prevention systems should be suitable for use by non-medical personnel and reflect the structural organisation of the school Rugby game so that data are not solely representative of the elite, well-resourced schools.

Objectives To ascertain current injury surveillance and player education practices in Irish amateur rugby union. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Amateur rugby clubs in Ireland. Participants Medical professionals and rugby coaches of the top 58 amateur rugby clubs in Ireland. Main outcome measures The survey investigated the current injury and training load monitoring practices in operation in Irish amateur rugby. It also explored whether player education sessions regarding injury prevention and concussion recognition and management were conducted in these clubs. Results Forty-four clubs completed the survey, giving an overall response rate of 76%. Ninety-one percent of the responding clubs monitored injuries. Sixty-four percent of these clubs operated return to play protocols for all injuries, while 36% operated return to play protocols for concussion only. Injury prevention education was conducted by 71% of these clubs and 82% educated players on concussion recognition and management. Conclusions Implementing effective injury monitoring strategies in both amateur and professional sport settings may aid in minimizing injury risk. In Ireland, 91% of the responding clubs monitored injuries and 71% educated players on injury prevention. By implementing one centralized injury surveillance system for Irish amateur rugby, injury trends can be effectively monitored and used to guide prevention strategies.