Women's Rugby World Cup: Players to wear high-tech mouthguards to improve safety

At the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, players will wear high-tech mouthguards that flash red after heavy head impacts, aiming to boost safety and reduce concussion risks, British media reported. The 'smart' gumshields, in use from August 22 to September 27, will instantly alert the match-day doctor when a significant collision is detected.

Referees will also be advised to stop play if they see the red light. Following its debut at the tournament, the technology is expected to be introduced across top-tier rugby next season.

This development builds on World Rugby’s adoption of instrumented mouthguards into the Head Injury Assessment (HIA) process in October 2023. Initially trialed in the WXV women’s competition, the devices became a formal part of HIA protocols from January 2024.


World Rugby chief medical officer Dr. Eanna Falvey told The Times that some male players have declined to wear the Bluetooth-enabled mouthguards, citing discomfort, privacy issues, or reluctance to participate in off-field HIAs. In contrast, women’s teams have been more receptive.

"The women’s leagues and teams are much more likely to collaborate and are more excited about opportunities in technology," Falvey said. He confirmed full opt-in participation for the World Cup, except for two players who cannot use the devices due to wearing braces.

By delivering real-time impact data and visible alerts, the mouthguards are designed to enable quicker medical intervention and stronger player protection. World Rugby hopes the innovation will become a transformative tool in managing head injuries and safeguarding athletes at every level of the game.