https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/25994597/smart-mouthguards-six-nations-2024/
Play It Smart: What Are Smart Mouthguards and How Are They Being Used in the Six Nations 2024?
Smart mouthguards have been described as a "huge step forward" for rugby.
History Made in the Six Nations
History was made in the Six Nations this year with the introduction of smart mouthguards.
Scotland hooker George Turner became the first player in the competition’s history to wear the device and undergo a head injury assessment (HIA) as a result.
Turner was assessed in the 12th minute of Scotland’s 20-16 defeat to France at Murrayfield before returning to the field a few minutes later.
Why Are Smart Mouthguards Being Used?
Head injuries have been a major concern in rugby in recent years, with increasing focus on their long-term impact on players at all levels of the sport.
Experts, coaches, and players have voiced concerns that not enough is being done to protect players from the long-term effects of serious head injuries.
Several ex-players have suffered life-altering consequences due to head trauma in rugby.
- England World Cup winner Steve Thompson suffers from dementia as a result of repeated head injuries.
- Scottish rugby legend Doddie Weir, who played for Newcastle Falcons, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) before passing away in 2019.
According to BBC statistics, 300 players—including Thompson—across both rugby union and rugby league are seeking legal action against the sport’s governing bodies over head injuries.
How Do Smart Mouthguards Work?
Smart mouthguards were first introduced by World Rugby in October 2023 following a $2 million (£1.6 million) investment.
The devices provide real-time alerts to pitch-side doctors, allowing them to assess whether a player may be at risk of injury, including concussions.
Each mouthguard contains sensors that measure head impacts, acceleration, and deceleration.
- If an impact exceeds 70g and 4,000 radians per second squared, the system automatically recommends a head injury assessment (HIA).
What Are Experts Saying About Smart Mouthguards?
Former Scotland international Rory Lawson described smart mouthguards as a "huge step forward" for player safety.
Lindsay Starling, World Rugby’s science and medical manager, emphasized their impact, stating:
**"These mouthguards have really changed the game.
There is a chance that repeated head impacts over a player’s career may contribute to long-term brain health issues, so we should be doing everything possible to protect players.
This technology allows us to quantify both the frequency and magnitude of head impacts. By tracking these impacts over time, we can better manage a player’s exposure to them and, ultimately, reduce their occurrence."**
However, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend urged caution regarding the technology following controversy in Scotland’s loss to France.
Turner was the first player in Six Nations history to be removed from a game due to a collision detected by the smart mouthguard, despite no clear concussion symptoms.
Townsend commented:
"I don’t think there was any more that came out of it, but we just have to be careful about introducing technology that might influence decisions for the wrong reasons."
A Game-Changer for Rugby?
Smart mouthguards represent a significant advancement in player safety and concussion management. While some remain skeptical, many believe these devices could revolutionize injury prevention in rugby and other contact sports.
With more teams and leagues adopting this technology, the future of head impact monitoring in rugby looks set to evolve further.