ABSTRACT
Rugby union and sevens are played with the same equipment on the same sized pitch but with a different number of players (i.e., 15 vs. seven, respectively) and different regulations (i.e., two × 40-minite halves with a ten-minute halftime vs. two × seven-minute halves with a two-minute halftime, respectively). Competition organisation also differs for rugby sevens, which is scheduled in a tournament format with six matches played over two to three days. Since the introduction of rugby sevens at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, interest in rugby has grown and has been accompanied by an increasing number of players, thereby favouring the development of professional-like structures. This recent enthusiasm is beneficial for the development of both rugby union and sevens. At the same time, a high injury rate has been reported in these collision sports, which merits full consideration for better preparation and support. Based on exploration of the current scientific literature (> 550 articles related to rugby union and sevens performance, with only 5% of them focusing on women) and our own experience reflecting the increasing sport science support among club and national team squads, this chapter aims to describe women’s rugby union and sevens match-play time-motion analysis, physical and physiological requirements and injury profiles in reference to men’s practice. Through such examination, appropriate strength and conditioning must be prescribed to optimise women’s rugby union and sevens performance and injury prevention.
