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World Rugby Handbook

SCHEDULE 2 REGULATION 12 SCHEDULE 2. SAFETY ASPECTS OF RUGBY BOOT SOLE DESIGN. GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE World Rugby REGULATIONS – LAW 4.3 Studs/cleats of player’s boots must conform with World Rugby Specifications (Regulation 12), must not be longer than 21 mm, and must not have any burring or sharp edges. To refer to ‘General Design Guidance’ as follows: GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE GUIDANCE FOR SHOE AND STUD/CLEAT MANUFACTURERS CONTENTS Risk assessment General guidance Performance Tests: Test A – Skin Glancing/Raking test Test B – Skin Stamping test Test C – Stud/cleat Impact test Test D – Fitting of replaceable studs/cleats Test E – Wear simulation RISK ASSESSMENT Three main injury mechanisms are prevalent during play: (a) Glancing (b) Raking (c) Stamping In each case one or more studs/cleats on the boot sole may contact the other player depending on circumstances. The worst-case scenario in any event will be when a single stud/cleat, normally one toward the edge of the sole, makes contact alone. The main factors regarding individual stud/cleat design are: shape, profile, length, radius of edges, hardness, propensity to burring, and rate of wear (the latter being with respect to exposing other internal materials/components). The design of studs/cleats needs to be considered in both plan and profile view, and also with respect to both contact area and radius of curvature. Contact area relates to contact pressure and hence the risk of bruising to, and penetration of, a player’s skin. Radius or sharpness of edges relates to risk of cutting the skin. In addition, there are whole sole design factors to consider including sole rigidity and edge profile. Last update: 14 January, 2015 214


World Rugby Handbook
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