The scrum cap is a form of headgear used by rugby players to protect the ears in the scrum, which can otherwise suffer injuries leading to the condition commonly known as cauliflower ears. Although originally designed for forwards they are now worn by players of all positions, even those who do not play in the scrum.
Welsh international lockJake Ball wearing a scrum cap
A simpler alternative to a cap, or a head-cap and used by many players, is a thin strip of foam or cloth and electrical tape wrapped around the ears like a head band.
The scrum cap was first used by the Christ's College Finchley's 1st XV,[1][when?] and Eurig Evans is credited with its design. The traditional scrum cap was constructed of a thin cloth helmet with padding over the ears, held in place by a strap—but modern models are typically made from thin foam.
The headgear is defined by Regulation 12[2] of World Rugby as being made of soft, thin materials. Stiff materials, such as plastics, are forbidden, and buckles are not permitted. Regulation 12[2] also gives details regarding the testing standards for this headgear. All headgear to be worn in rugby union must carry a World Rugby approval logo.
Concussive protection
Since the early 1990s, other players have taken to wearing padded headgear. This is intended to protect from cuts and head injuries that can occur from incidental contact in tackles or at rucks. Whilst they may prevent some cuts and abrasions, such headgear has not been shown to reduce concussive injury.[3]
Legislation
World Rugby has not made scrum caps compulsory, and many players and officials are divided over their utility. Former England captain Mike Tindall criticised their usage by youth players, saying that they had a detrimental result on tackling ability from an early age.[4] Welsh player Jonathan Davies similarly felt that they should not be compulsory, as injuries were part of the game.[5] High profile referee Nigel Owens has however suggested making the wearing of headgear compulsory for all players,[6] and they are mandatory for all players in Japanese youth teams.[7]
See also
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scrum caps.
^"REGULATION 12. PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLAYERS’ DRESS" 2011-01-24 at the Wayback Machine, IRB
^McIntosh, Andrew S.; McCrory, Paul; Finch, Caroline F.; Best, John P.; Chalmers, David J.; Wolfe, Rory (2009). "Does Padded Headgear Prevent Head Injury in Rugby Union Football?". Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 41 (2): 306–13. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181864bee. PMID 19127196.
^"Mike Tindall: Get rid of protective gear for rugby kids".
^"Wales' Davies queries headgear role". BBC Sport.
^"Wales' Davies queries headgear role". BBC Sport.
scrum, scrum, form, headgear, used, rugby, players, protect, ears, scrum, which, otherwise, suffer, injuries, leading, condition, commonly, known, cauliflower, ears, although, originally, designed, forwards, they, worn, players, positions, even, those, play, s. The scrum cap is a form of headgear used by rugby players to protect the ears in the scrum which can otherwise suffer injuries leading to the condition commonly known as cauliflower ears Although originally designed for forwards they are now worn by players of all positions even those who do not play in the scrum Welsh international lock Jake Ball wearing a scrum cap A simpler alternative to a cap or a head cap and used by many players is a thin strip of foam or cloth and electrical tape wrapped around the ears like a head band Contents 1 Construction 2 Concussive protection 3 Legislation 4 See also 5 ReferencesConstruction EditThe scrum cap was first used by the Christ s College Finchley s 1st XV 1 when and Eurig Evans is credited with its design The traditional scrum cap was constructed of a thin cloth helmet with padding over the ears held in place by a strap but modern models are typically made from thin foam The headgear is defined by Regulation 12 2 of World Rugby as being made of soft thin materials Stiff materials such as plastics are forbidden and buckles are not permitted Regulation 12 2 also gives details regarding the testing standards for this headgear All headgear to be worn in rugby union must carry a World Rugby approval logo Concussive protection EditSince the early 1990s other players have taken to wearing padded headgear This is intended to protect from cuts and head injuries that can occur from incidental contact in tackles or at rucks Whilst they may prevent some cuts and abrasions such headgear has not been shown to reduce concussive injury 3 Legislation EditWorld Rugby has not made scrum caps compulsory and many players and officials are divided over their utility Former England captain Mike Tindall criticised their usage by youth players saying that they had a detrimental result on tackling ability from an early age 4 Welsh player Jonathan Davies similarly felt that they should not be compulsory as injuries were part of the game 5 High profile referee Nigel Owens has however suggested making the wearing of headgear compulsory for all players 6 and they are mandatory for all players in Japanese youth teams 7 See also Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scrum caps Football helmet Rugby union equipment Rugby union Rugby league Scrum machineReferences Edit 1 https firepowersport com history of scrum caps REGULATION 12 PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLAYERS DRESS Archived 2011 01 24 at the Wayback Machine IRB McIntosh Andrew S McCrory Paul Finch Caroline F Best John P Chalmers David J Wolfe Rory 2009 Does Padded Headgear Prevent Head Injury in Rugby Union Football Medicine amp Science in Sports amp Exercise 41 2 306 13 doi 10 1249 MSS 0b013e3181864bee PMID 19127196 Mike Tindall Get rid of protective gear for rugby kids Wales Davies queries headgear role BBC Sport Wales Davies queries headgear role BBC Sport Is rugby headgear necessary Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Scrum cap amp oldid 1117303129, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
