title: Epidemiological study of injuries in men's international under-20 rugby union tournaments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the incidence, nature, and causes of match injuries sustained during Under-20 (U-20) international rugby.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study; definitions and procedures were compliant with the international consensus statement for epidemiological studies in rugby.
  
  
  METHODS
  2008 and 2010 IRB U-20 Junior World Championships and Junior World Rugby Trophies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine hundred forty-one players representing 35 international teams.
  
  
  METHODS
  Injuries reported as functions of playing position and nature and cause of injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Incidence, location, type, severity, and causes of match injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Incidence of injury was 57.2 per 1000 player-match-hours (forwards, 55.3; backs, 59.4) with a mean severity of 22.4 days (forwards, 27.7; backs, 16.9) and a median severity of 6 days (forwards, 8; backs, 6). Lower limb ligament (25.3%) and muscle (21.3%) pathologies were the main injuries. Most injuries were acute (90.4%) and sustained during tackles (45.1%) and collisions (17.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that the overall risk of injury for players in international U-20 rugby is significantly lower than that reported at the full international level of play; the nature and causes of injury at U-20 are similar to those at the full international level of play.
authors: Centre for Sports Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom. colin.fuller@f-marc.com
authors: Colin W
authors: CW
authors: Fuller
authors: Michael G
authors: MG
authors: Molloy
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Marsalli