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 ear
Cauliflower ear is an irreversible condition that occurs when the Auricle (anatomy), external portion of the ear is hit and develops a Thrombus, blood clot or other collection of fluid under the perichondrium. This separates the cartilage from the ...
s. Although originally designed for forwards they are now worn by players of all positions, even those who do not play in the scrum.
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.
Construction
The scrum cap was first used by the
Christ's College Finchley's 1st XV, 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
["REGULATION 12. PROVISIONS RELATING TO PLAYERS’ DRESS"]
, IRB of
World Rugby
World Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. World Rugby organises the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport's most recognised and most profitable competition. It also organises a number of other international competit ...
as being made of soft, thin materials. Stiff materials, such as plastics, are forbidden, and buckles are not permitted. Regulation 12
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
Tackle may refer to:
* In football:
** Tackle (football move), a play in various forms of football
** Tackle (gridiron football position)
A tackle is a playing position in American football. Historically, in the one-platoon system prevalent ...
or at
rucks. Whilst they may prevent some cuts and abrasions, such headgear has not been shown to reduce concussive injury.
Legislation
World Rugby
World Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. World Rugby organises the Rugby World Cup every four years, the sport's most recognised and most profitable competition. It also organises a number of other international competit ...
has not made scrum caps compulsory, and many players and officials are divided over their utility. Former England captain
Mike Tindall
Michael James Tindall, (born 18 October 1978) is an English former rugby union player and a member of the British royal family. Tindall played outside centre for Bath and Gloucester, and won 75 caps for England between 2000 and 2011. He was ...
criticised their usage by youth players, saying that they had a detrimental result on tackling ability from an early age. Welsh player
Jonathan Davies similarly felt that they should not be compulsory, as injuries were part of the game.
High profile referee
Nigel Owens has however suggested making the wearing of headgear compulsory for all players,
and they are mandatory for all players in
Japanese youth teams.
See also
*
Football helmet
A football helmet is a type of protective headgear used mainly in gridiron football, although a structural variation has occasional use in Australian rules football. It consists of a hard plastic shell with thick padding on the inside, a Face ma ...
*
Rugby union equipment
A traditional rugby union kit consists of a jersey and shorts, long rugby socks and boots with studs. The other main piece of equipment is the rugby ball.
Some modest padding is allowed on the head, shoulders and collarbone, but it must be su ...
*
Rugby union
Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...
*
Rugby league
Rugby league football, commonly known as rugby league in English-speaking countries and rugby 13/XIII in non-Anglophone Europe, is a contact sport, full-contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular Rugby league playin ...
*
Scrum machine
A scrum machine, or scrummaging machine, is a padded, weighty device against which a pack of rugby forwards can practice scrummaging and rucking. The purpose of the scrum machine is to provide teams with a safe tool with which to improve the st ...
*
Water polo cap
A water polo cap is a piece of headgear used in water polo and a number of underwater sports. The caps are used to identify both the player and their team, and to protect their ears from injury possibly caused by a water polo ball hitting the h ...
*
Wrestling headgear
Wrestling headgear is protection that a person wears over the ears and chin during wrestling matches.
Description
The main purpose of headgear is to protect the ears of the wrestler, not really the head as the name implies. Thus, wrestling headg ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scrum Cap
Rugby league equipment
Rugby union equipment
Protective gear
Headgear
Sportswear