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The use of artificial playing surfaces in professional rugby union is growing, but their effect on the injury risk profile remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of playing surface on match injury risk in men's professional rugby in England. Six seasons of injury data (2013/14–2018/19) were collected from 15 professional English, men's rugby teams participating in domestic and European competition. The incidence, severity, and burden of match injuries were compared across playing surfaces. The dataset included 3351 injuries from a combined European and domestic data set (separated in to 2 categories; artificial and natural/hybrid surfaces) and 2675 injuries from a domestic only dataset (separated into 3 categories; artificial, hybrid, and natural surfaces). There were no differences in incidence rates between surface types on combined European and domestic match data, but injury burden was significantly greater on artificial (3082 days/1000 h, 95% CI 2847‐3337) in comparison with natural/hybrid surfaces (2364 days/1000 h, 95% CI 2277–2454, p < 0.001). These differences were primarily driven by a significantly greater mean severity of hip/groin, and foot/toe injuries on artificial surfaces. This is the largest study to date to examine the relationship between surface type and injury risk in rugby union. The average severity and burden of injuries sustained on artificial surfaces was significantly greater compared with those sustained on hybrid/natural grass surfaces. This study can inform those involved in selection of surface for elite sport, weighing up the positive and negative elements of the varying surface types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: While kicking in Rugby Union can be influential to match outcome, the epidemiology of kicking injuries remains unknown. This study therefore aimed to investigate the epidemiology of injuries attributed to kicking in professional rugby, including playing position‐specific effects and differences in kicking volumes and kick types. Methods: Fifteen seasons of injury surveillance data and two seasons of match kicking characteristics from professional rugby players were analyzed. Incidence, propensity, and severity of kicking‐related injuries were calculated together with the locations and types of these injuries. Position‐related differences in match kicking types and volumes were also established. Results: Seventy‐seven match and 55 training acute‐onset kicking injuries were identified. The match kicking injury incidence for backs was 1.4/1000 player‐match‐hours. Across all playing positions, the propensity for match kicking injury was 0.57 injuries/1000 kicks. Fly‐halves sustained the greatest proportion of match kicking injuries (47%) and performed the greatest proportion of match kicks (46%); an average propensity for match kicking injury (0.58/1000 kicks). Scrum‐halves executed 27% of match‐related kicks but had a very low propensity for match kicking injury (0.17/1000 kicks). All other positional groups executed a small proportion of match‐related kicks but a high propensity for match kicking injury. Ninety‐two percent of match kicking injuries occurred in the pelvis or lower limb, with the majority sustained by the kicking limb. 21% of all match kicking injuries were associated with the rectus femoris muscle. Conclusion: Match kicking profiles and kicking injuries sustained are position‐dependent, which provides valuable insight for developing player‐specific conditioning and rehabilitation protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]