ABSTRACT
The seasonal nature of Rugby Union imposes varied physiological stresses on the player. During the playing season, there are demanding playing and training commitments and soft tissue injuries frequently occur as a result of the high impact collisions common to the game. However, during the off-season, activity and fitness training are largely selfregulated. In The British Isles, the game has become increasingly competitive over the last few seasons with the advent of new league structures. This has placed greater performance demands upon players. International players are expected to perform at a consistently high level for approximately 30 weeks of the 35 week season, including two months of peak performance during the Five Nations Championship. In years when there is a World Cup or a major tour, performance and fitness levels need to be maintained for even longer periods.
