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BREAKING: New routine could massively reduce injuries in rugby

Manu Tuilagi in action for Leicester Tigers

A new exercise programme, performed by rugby players before training and pre-match, could dramatically reduce injuries in the sport according to a benchmark study published today.

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Activate training and pre-match exercise programme
Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the collaborative project between health researchers at the University of Bath and England Rugby shows that the introduction of a simple injury prevention exercise programme has significant impacts in reducing rates both for concussion and lower limb injuries.

By following the progress of 81 men’s adult community rugby club teams and nearly 2,000 players over the course of one season, its findings shows significant reductions in concussion and lower-limb injuries as a result of the new exercise control programme.

Its results highlight concussion injuries reduced by up to 60% with lower-limb injuries reduced by up to 40%. The greater the compliance among players, the greater the impacts in terms of injury reduction – the best results were observed where teams practised the warm-up at least twice a week.

‘Activate’, the new training and pre-match exercise programme, was developed by the research team as part of the study and builds on research earlier in the year focused on schoolboy rugby showing similarly impressive results.

The Activate warm-up regime focuses on balance, strength and agility in order to better prepare players for the physical challenges they face in matches and to mitigate potential injury risks. Split into four stages it takes roughly 20 minutes to complete.

The new protocol is made up of a combination of exercises that develop overall fitness, strength, power and stability. The exercises are specifically targeted to improve functional and core strength, particularly lower limb balance and functional neck strength, all of which assist a player in dealing with the physical demands of the game (www.englandrugby.com/activate).

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One of the study authors, Dr Simon Roberts from the University of Bath’s Department for Health explained: “By replacing stretching exercises that players typically do before training and matches with exercises that focus on better control of movement, we have seen a dramatic reduction in injuries in this study.

“This new programme is markedly different from the kind of warm-up players might typically take part in during training or pre-match with a much greater focus on movement control. Combining the impressive results on injury reduction with the national roll-out of this programme with England Rugby, we are particularly excited by the potential for this work in making a long-term impact on the game.”

Professor Keith Stokes, Head of the University of Bath’s Department for Health who lead the work said: “The injury that has received the greatest focus in recent years has been concussion. At present we are not clear about the precise mechanisms by which the programme reduces concussion incidence, but this is a particularly interesting finding.”

The Activate Injury Prevention Exercise is a key element of England Rugby’s ‘Rugby Safe’ programme, their overarching player welfare awareness initiative.

Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for us to improve player safety and reduce injuries across game. Since launching the Activate programme at the beginning of September we’ve already seen hundreds of coaches sign up to access the online resources and complete the face to face training.”

“Having this strong evidence behind the programme we hope that coaches appreciate the importance of it and integrate the exercises into their training and pre-match routines to ensure their players are in the best position possible when taking to the field.”

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JW 1 hour ago
How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock

The All Blacks have definitely exchanged physicality for their running rugby, tiring teams out in the last 10 minutes type approach, over the last decade.


Hell they were the ones getting tired in South Africa last year.


Previously, we had always had to get ourselves pumped up to match the SB. Our forwards would need to punch above their weight. There’s been no such feeling or talk like that for a decade. We’re happy that we can go toe to toe all day everyday now. I suggest Ireland still need to do that though.


Yes I’m not familiar with those games, or the way you’d played them, you and Graham were discussing, but I’d say the players I’ve seen recently certainly do have those capabilities (to outplay/skill NZ or France). Really though I think we both acknowledging the same thing, the capaticity to play multiple ways, because you have the most well rounded player types.


So I fully endorse unlocking that further. Ireland became a tricky bunch for sure. You may not have heard me champion their play when it first started coming out, by I credited them/Lancaster, as encompasing a lot of the great backline/phase play trickery I’d become accustomed to naturally seeing, through evolution, from all ages in New Zealand. He put a plan together about how/when to cut/when to loop/when to skip. Players I grew up with, well even myself of course, we just did those things based on what we see, and Lancaster put that together as a package for people who don’t.. have such DNA, or ‘IP’. I’ve not seen any other team do it with such precision, or make it look so natural as they did. They’ve lost it now of course (as had NZ already), but my point would be that you can also do you’re own thing. For instance you could go to grubbers instead of territory kicks, low fast guys, even the tall lanky Fassi’ are supreme at reading and catching a bouncing ball. Simply by not going to your lineout strength, you can put immense attacking pressure through space and speed for example. Brown got the use of those athletes going in the wide channels, while still looking for say someone who was as good as Kieran Read to really unlock that threat. But anyway, maybe I misconstrued what you wanted the team to do, but I just think there are, as youve said about the past, ways SA can play. I wouldn’t be worried about anything too fancy, but yes, they say defence wins match’s but really that’s just because attack is the hardest thing to get right. So if you can get it right, yes, you do almost become unbeatable. Like I said I couldn’t see going as far as to play like a “Brazil” being a “trick” to get over the mental barrier of expectation, not with SA’s psyche. In tsaying that though I’m thinking to myself, in terms of clamming up in big games, Irelands playbook approach would be better than instinct. That’s because you need that ‘brazilian’ to play on instinct, and I think the game means too much to us for that, and maybe that’s how Ireland was able to keep up it’s threat in those big games, all everyone simply had to do with stick the playbook.


Even without winning WCs NZ has been able to feel like it was still on top, and playing with some audacious flair, as in just backing yourself to beat these two players in front of me that results in a breakdown field which wins you the game, requires that sort of knowledge that you are the best, that level of confidence. That’s an advantage NZ has had to keep that style going over the decades. The acid test has come on, there is a desire their from from Razor to regain it, now to be able to play that way when doubts set in.

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Connor Nicolas 2 hours ago
'Individuals are stepping up': Vern Cotter on Beauden Barrett's influence

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Connor Nicolas 3 hours ago
'Individuals are stepping up': Vern Cotter on Beauden Barrett's influence

Several weeks ago, my life was irrevocably altered by a crypto romance scam a cruel amalgamation of emotional manipulation and financial exploitation. A person I believed to be my partner, whom I had met on a niche trading forum, gradually ensnared me into investing in a purportedly “groundbreaking” decentralized finance (DeFi) project. Over several months, they meticulously cultivated trust, shared fabricated returns, and even orchestrated video calls with supposed “developers” to lend credence to the scheme. By the time I discerned the truth, a staggering $215,000 of my life savings had evaporated into a labyrinth of blockchain addresses, and the individual I thought I knew had vanished without a trace. The betrayal was paralyzing; I felt not only financially devastated but emotionally shattered.As a small business owner, I am no stranger to risk, but this was a domain far beyond my comprehension. I promptly filed reports with the FTC, collaborated with cybersecurity experts, and spent countless sleepless nights poring over Etherscan, desperately attempting to trace the transactions. However, the scammers’ adept use of privacy coins and offshore exchanges rendered the trail elusive, dissipating like smoke. Each dead end deepened my despair and sense of helplessness.In the midst of this turmoil, I confided in a family friend about my harrowing ordeal. After hearing my story, he referred me to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Initially skeptical but driven by desperation, I visited their website and was struck by their no-nonsense commitment to transparency. Unlike other firms that promised miraculous recoveries, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES provided a clear,breakdown of their process: forensics, collaboration with international legal networks, and direct engagement with exchanges to freeze illicit funds.From the moment I reached out to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES , their team approached my case faster . They meticulously analyzed my situation, keeping me informed at every stage of the recovery process. Ultimately, they succeeded in recovering my entire investment, restoring my financial stability and also rekindling my faith in the possibility of justice in the digital age. This experience has imparted invaluable lessons about vigilance and the importance of seeking help when navigating the dangerous currents of cryptocurrency. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES has proven to be a beacon of hope for those ensnared in the web of crypto fraud, demonstrating that recovery is indeed possible with the right support and expertise.You can reach them on whatsapp +18582759508, web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

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Charles Brown 3 hours ago
Does a crowd have the right to boo their team if they're not being entertained?

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Charles Brown 3 hours ago
Does a crowd have the right to boo their team if they're not being entertained?

Bitcoin Recovery Testimony: How LION CYBERSECURITY COMPANY Saved My $1 Million

I never imagined I would be in a situation like this. In January 2025, I mistakenly transferred $1 million worth of Bitcoin to the wrong wallet address during a high-pressure transaction. It was a moment of carelessness that nearly cost me everything. The wallet I sent it to was untraceable, and I was told by several "experts" that once crypto is gone, it’s gone for good.

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From the first moment I contacted them, I could tell this wasn’t just another "recovery scam." Their team was professional, clear in their communication, and, most importantly, they didn’t make unrealistic promises. They walked me through their process step by step, and while I was still skeptical, I had nothing left to lose.

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Connor Nicolas 4 hours ago
Ronan O'Gara eyes huge Six Nations star for free-falling La Rochelle

Several weeks ago, my life was irrevocably altered by a crypto romance scam a cruel amalgamation of emotional manipulation and financial exploitation. A person I believed to be my partner, whom I had met on a niche trading forum, gradually ensnared me into investing in a purportedly “groundbreaking” decentralized finance (DeFi) project. Over several months, they meticulously cultivated trust, shared fabricated returns, and even orchestrated video calls with supposed “developers” to lend credence to the scheme. By the time I discerned the truth, a staggering $215,000 of my life savings had evaporated into a labyrinth of blockchain addresses, and the individual I thought I knew had vanished without a trace. The betrayal was paralyzing; I felt not only financially devastated but emotionally shattered.As a small business owner, I am no stranger to risk, but this was a domain far beyond my comprehension. I promptly filed reports with the FTC, collaborated with cybersecurity experts, and spent countless sleepless nights poring over Etherscan, desperately attempting to trace the transactions. However, the scammers’ adept use of privacy coins and offshore exchanges rendered the trail elusive, dissipating like smoke. Each dead end deepened my despair and sense of helplessness.In the midst of this turmoil, I confided in a family friend about my harrowing ordeal. After hearing my story, he referred me to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES . Initially skeptical but driven by desperation, I visited their website and was struck by their no-nonsense commitment to transparency. Unlike other firms that promised miraculous recoveries, GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES provided a clear,breakdown of their process: forensics, collaboration with international legal networks, and direct engagement with exchanges to freeze illicit funds.From the moment I reached out to GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES , their team approached my case faster . They meticulously analyzed my situation, keeping me informed at every stage of the recovery process. Ultimately, they succeeded in recovering my entire investment, restoring my financial stability and also rekindling my faith in the possibility of justice in the digital age. This experience has imparted invaluable lessons about vigilance and the importance of seeking help when navigating the dangerous currents of cryptocurrency. GRAYWARE TECH SERVICES has proven to be a beacon of hope for those ensnared in the web of crypto fraud, demonstrating that recovery is indeed possible with the right support and expertise.You can reach them on whatsapp +18582759508, web at ( https://graywaretechservices.com/ )    also on Mail: (contact@graywaretechservices.com)

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