The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the University of South Wales (USW) are collaborating to use research expertise to inform player development in the sport.

The WRU Welsh Schools & Colleges (WSC) Rugby is the premier competition for the best 16 schools and colleges in Wales, all licenced by the WRU to deliver annual rugby programmes to around 400 male players aged 15 to 18 across Wales. The teams are being invited to USW’s industry-leading Sport Park at points through the year for players to be physically profiled and their development tracked and benchmarked against other schools / colleges, in addition to individuals further along the pathway.

The tests include assessments of speed, endurance, force generating ability, and explosiveness. All the data collected feeds into the physical profiling database for Welsh rugby and reports are provided to the relevant school, college, and aligned regional academy. This enables them to look at comparisons when the measurements are taken again, later in the year, as well as where players are relative to their counterparts for their age group.

Dr Kate Williams, Senior Lecturer in Sports and Exercise Therapy at USW, said:

“Our research aim is to collect the performance data over a few years so we can look at any emerging trends, for example, injury monitoring, performance enhancement, and player development. As a result, we hope to predict test outcomes. For example, Is there a correlation between a player’s hamstring strength and their speed capability, or are they at risk of a particular injury?”

“The tests are undertaken by our BSc (Hons) Sport Strength and Conditioning and BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Therapy students. This is an excellent opportunity, for them, in terms of real-life work experience, professional development, and networking with potential future employers.”

Dr John Alder, WRU’s Head of Player Development, said:

“We’ve recognised that one particular area which requires further support is the physical development of our younger players. As such, the physical profiling and research USW are delivering, with and for us, will provide invaluable insight to better understand our 16 – 18 male player pool, their physical strengths and key areas of focus, while also setting benchmarks for the 16-18 phase of the male player pathway”.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with USW, utilise their expertise, fantastic facilities, and their highly motivated and curious students.  We expect the outcomes of the research to inform not only individual player, group, and team planning, but training interventions, as well, in some instances policy.”