Women's Rugby World Cup Debuts Smart Mouthguards for Head Injury Detection

The upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup will introduce advanced mouthguards equipped with LEDs that flash red to signal when players experience heavy head impacts, prompting immediate head injury assessments. These smart mouthguards measure linear and rotational forces using accelerometers and gyroscopes and alert referees and medical staff in real time to potential concussions. This technology builds on World Rugby's earlier rollout during the 2023 WXV women's competition and is part of a broader effort to improve player safety, with plans for wider adoption across elite rugby next season. World Rugby's chief medical officer, Dr. Eanna Falvey, highlighted that female players are more receptive to this innovation compared to some male players who have resisted due to discomfort or concerns about the Bluetooth technology. With near full opt-in among participants, the mouthguards represent a significant step forward in concussion detection and management in women's rugby. Referees will stop play immediately upon seeing the red flash, ensuring quicker and more effective responses to head injury risks.