Sydney- Australia- August 12, 2025
In a significant stride toward enhancing player welfare, a new generation of “smart” mouthguards that flash red upon detecting a potentially concussive head impact will be trialed at the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup. The tournament, set to begin on August 22, will serve as the proving ground for this innovative technology, which aims to provide instant, visible alerts to referees and medical staff, thereby streamlining the process of identifying and assessing head injuries.
The new technology is the latest phase in World Rugby’s ongoing efforts to make the sport safer. While “smart mouthguards” with embedded sensors have been used in elite rugby for some time, this is the first time the devices will feature an integrated LED light. The mouthguards are engineered to measure how a player’s head moves and rotates during a collision. When the acceleration of a player’s head exceeds a pre-set limit, the clear mouthguard will flash a red light, providing a real-time visual cue that a significant impact has occurred.
This visual alert is a game-changer for on-field injury management. Under previous systems, a high-impact alert would be sent via Bluetooth to a sideline doctor, who would then have to wait for a break in play to identify the player and remove them for a head injury assessment (HIA). The new flashing light system, however, will allow the referee to stop the game immediately, ensuring the player is removed from the field for evaluation without delay.
Dr. Éanna Falvey, World Rugby’s chief medical officer, confirmed that every player at the Women’s World Cup will be wearing the new mouthguards, with the exception of two players who have braces. He highlighted that the goal is not just to collect data, but to proactively protect players. The data gathered from these mouthguards will also be used to identify potential moments of foul play, providing a new layer of objective evidence.
The decision to introduce this technology at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, before a wider rollout in the elite men’s game, underscores World Rugby’s focused approach on player welfare. The organization has been a leader in using technology to combat head injuries, having previously trialed instrumented mouthguards in women’s tournaments in 2023. The success of those initial trials has led to this latest development, which is expected to be adopted in top-flight men’s rugby in the new season.
Head injuries have become a paramount concern in rugby, as the professional game has grown more physical. This new technology represents a significant leap forward in addressing these concerns, as it provides a clear, immediate, and objective signal of a high-impact event that might otherwise be missed. By making the identification of potential concussions more efficient and transparent, the new mouthguards not only protect the players but also send a powerful message about the sport’s commitment to prioritizing athlete safety.
