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Table 4 Characteristics of collision frequency detected by video-based analysis in rugby union and rugby sevens.

From: Correction: Quantifying Collision Frequency and Intensity in Rugby Union and Rugby Sevens: A Systematic Review

Study: author (year)

Number of matches/training sessions

Type of collisions

Frequency definition

Frequency of collisions: mean ± SD

Relative frequency of collisions: mean ± SD (no. per min)

Rugby union

Austin et al. (2011) [31]

7 matches

Tackling

Number during match play

Front row forwards: 20 ± 4

NR

    

Back row forwards: 19 ± 4

  
    

Inside backs: 25 ± 13

  
    

Outside backs: 20 ± 7

  
  

Scrummaging (ruck/maul/scrum)

 

Front row forwards: 62 ± 13

  
    

Back row forwards: 68 ± 15

  
    

Inside backs: 17 ± 7

  
    

Outside backs: 14 ± 5

  

Bradley et al. (2017) [33]

60 matches

Scrum

Scrum (count) total:

2013: 16.9 ± 4.3

 

NR

 
    

2014: 14.7 ± 3.3

   
    

2015: 14.5 ± 3.3

   
    

2016: 16.5 ± 4.5

   

Campbell et al. (2017) [34]

14 matches

Tackles

Per match or training session

Match:

Training:

Match:

Training:

 

29 training session

 

Outside backs:

1.5 ± 1

1.1 ± 1.5

0.01 ± 0.01

0.01 ± 0.01

   

Centres:

5.7 ± 2.6

2.9 ± 3.1

0.06 ± 0.02

0.03 ± 0.04

   

Halves:

4.5 ± 2.4

1.8 ± 2.2

0.05 ± 0.02

0.02 ± 0.02

   

Loose forwards:

7.2 ± 3.2

2.4 ± 2.6

0.08 ± 0.03

0.02 ± 0.04

   

Locks forwards:

6 ± 2.9

2.4 ± 2.6

0.07 ± 0.04

0.02 ± 0.02

   

Front row forwards:

5.6 ± 3

1.7 ± 1.8

0.07 ± 0.05

0.02 ± 0.02

  

Rucks

Loose forwards:

12.9 ± 4.2

1.3 ± 3.8

0.1 ± 0.04

0.01 ± 0.04

   

Locks forwards:

15 ± 6.4

1 ± 4.1

0.2 ± 0.1

0.01 ± 0.04

   

Front row forwards:

10.9 ± 4.5

1.2 ± 3.6

0.2 ± 0.1

0.01 ± 0.03

  

Mauls

Loose forwards:

3.1 ± 2.7

1.5 ± 3

0.03 ± 0.03

0.01 ± 0.03

   

Locks forwards:

3.3 ± 3

1.9 ± 3.3

0.03 ± 0.03

0.02 ± 0.03

   

Front row forwards:

2.9 ± 2.6

1.8 ± 3.4

0.04 ± 0.04

0.02 ± 0.04

  

Scrums

Loose forwards:

23.4 ± 3.9

1.8 ± 3.4

0.3 ± 0.06

0.02 ± 0.06

   

Locks forwards:

21.4 ± 7.2

1.6 ± 3.2

0.3 ± 0.1

0.01 ± 0.03

   

Front row forwards:

21.7 ± 5.5

1.6 ± 3.2

0.3 ± 0.2

0.01 ± 0.03

Deutsch et al. (1998) [40]

4 matches

Ruck/maul

Total

Props and Locks: 72 ± 7

 

NR

 
    

Back row: 78 ± 8

   
    

Inside backs: 12 ± 2

   
    

Outside backs: 9 ± 4

   
  

Scrum

 

Props and Locks: 32 ± 3

   
    

Back row: 35 ± 1

   

Deutsch et al. (2007) [41]

9 matches

  

Forwards:

Backs:

NR

 
  

Ruck/maul

Total

66.9 ± 15.8

9.5 ± 5.7

  
  

Scrum

 

38.2 ± 8.7

   
  

Tackling

 

23.1 ± 14

23.4 ± 10.2

  

Duthie et al. (2005) [43]

16 matches

  

Forwards:

Backs:

NR

 
  

Static exertion

No per game

Front row: 78 ± 16

Inside back: 27 ± 10

  
    

Back row: 82 ± 17

Outside back: 13 ± 5

  
    

Total: 80 ± 17

Total: 21 ± 11

  
  

Tackles

No per game

Front row: 10 ± 8

Inside back: 11 ± 6

  
    

Back row: 13 ± 5

Outside back: 7 ± 4

  
    

Total: 11 ± 7

Total: 9 ± 6

  

Eaton et al. (2006) [44]

6 matches

Rucks and mauls

Number

Prop: 38 ± 12

 

NR

 
    

Hooker: 49 ± 10

   
    

Lock: 49 ± 19

   
    

Loose: 48 ± 13

   
    

Scrum half: 15 ± 5

   
    

Inside back: 15 ± 9

   
    

Outside back: 13 ± 6

   
  

Tackling: Tackler

 

Prop: 8 ± 4

   
    

Hooker: 8 ± 4

   
    

Lock: 11 ± 3

   
    

Loose: 13 ± 6

   
    

Scrum half: 11 ± 4

   
    

Inside back: 9 ± 4

   
    

Outside back: 6 ± 3

   
  

Tackled

 

Prop: 5 ± 3

   
    

Hooker: 7 ± 4

   
    

Lock: 4 ± 2

   
    

Loose: 8 ± 5

   
    

Scrum half: 9 ± 4

   
    

Inside back: 5 ± 3

   
    

Outside back: 5 ± 3

   
  

Scrums

 

Prop: 29 ± 6

   
    

Hooker: 29 ± 6

   
    

Lock: 29 ± 6

   
    

Loose: 27 ± 7

   
   

Average total

29 ± 6

   

Fuller et al. (2007) [45]

50 matches

Contact events

Total

22,842

 

NR

 
  

Scrums

Total

1447

   
  

Tackles

Total

11,048

   
  

Rucks

Total

7124

   
  

Mauls

Total

921

   

Fuller et al. (2008) [46]

26 matches

Tackles

General play total

6219

 

NR

 
  

One on one tackles

No of tackles in general play:

Tackler-1 (all): 3558

   
    

Arm: 1690

   
    

Collision: 384

   
    

Jersey: 93

   
    

Lift: 16

   
    

Shoulder: 826

   
    

Smoother: 526

   
    

Tap: 23

   
  

Double tackles

No of tackles in general play:

Tackler-1 (all): 2512

   
    

Arm: 1443

   
    

Collision: 10

   
    

Jersey: 86

   
    

Lift: 11

   
    

Shoulder: 746

   
    

Smoother: 209

   
    

Tap: 7

   
    

Tackler-2 (all): 2512

   
    

Arm: 1589

   
    

Collision: 14

   
    

Jersey: 22

   
    

Lift: 3

   
    

Shoulder: 358

   
    

Smoother: 527

   
    

Tap: 2

   
  

Arm double tackles:

No of tackles in general play:

Ball Carrier:

   
    

Forward: 650

   
    

Back: 750

   
  

One-on-one collision tackles:

No of tackles in general play:

Ball Carrier:

   
    

Forward: 146

   
    

Back: 217

   

Hendricks et al. (2013) [49]

21 matches

Tackles

Per match

114 ± 20

 

NR

 
  

Scrum

Total

199

   
  

Maul

Total

152

   

Hendricks et al. (2014) [50]

18 matches

Tackles

Per match

116 ± 20

 

NR

 
   

Each competition week

149

   
   

Per team

131

   

Hendricks et al. (2018) [8]

12: Six Nations

Tackles

Total

4479

 

NR

 
 

15: Championship

 

Championship

1853

   
   

Six Nations

2626

   
   

Per match in Six Nations

175 ± 21

   
   

Per match in Championship

154 ± 36

   
  

Rucks

Total

2914

   
   

Championship

1234

   
   

Six Nations

1680

   
   

Per match in Six Nations

112 ± 27

   
   

Per match in Championship

103 ± 30

   

Jones et al. (2014) [52]

4 matches

  

Forwards:

Backs:

  
  

Tackles

Per match

5 ± 3

4 ± 3

  
  

Contacts hit

Per match

15 ± 6

6 ± 4

  
  

Impacts

Total

25 ± 9

15 ± 7

  
  

Scrum

Number

13 ± 5

0

  
  

Contacts

Total

31 ± 14

16 ± 7

  

Lacome et al. (2016) [54]

18 matches

Tackles

Players Completing Entire Match

NR

 

Forwards:

Backs:

      

First half:

First half:

      

0.1 ± 0.1

0.1 ± 0.1

      

Second half: 0.1 ± 0.1

Second half: 0.1 ± 0.1

Lindsay et al. (2015) [55]

NR

Impacts:

Total

NR

Group: 0.5 ± 0.2

      

Forwards: 0.6 ± 0.2

      

Backs: 0.4 ± 0.2

      

Front row: 0.5 ± 0.1

      

Locks: 0.5 ± 0.01

      

Loose forwards: 0.6 ± 0.4

      

Inside backs: 0.4 ± 0.2

      

Outside backs: 0.3 ± 0.1

  

Tackles and tackle assists:

Total

  

Groups: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Forwards: 0.2 ± 0.1

      

Backs: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Front row: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Locks: 0.2 ± 0.1

      

Loose forwards: 0.2 ± 0.1

      

Inside backs: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Outside backs: 0.07 ± 0.1

  

Rucks:

Total

  

Groups: 0.2 ± 0.2

      

Forwards: 0.3 ± 0.3

      

Backs: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Front row: 0.3 ± 0.1

      

Locks: 0.3 ± 0.1

      

Loose forwards: 0.4 ± 0.4

      

Inside backs: 0.2 ± 0.1

      

Outside backs: 0.1 ± 0.03

  

Ball carries

Total

  

Groups: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Forwards: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Backs: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Front row: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Locks: 0.1 ± 0.02

      

Loose forwards: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Inside backs: 0.1 ± 0.1

      

Outside backs: 0.1 ± 0.1

Lindsay et al. (2017) [56]

2 matches

Impacts

Total

Game 1: 21.3 ± 13.4

 

NR

    

Game 2: 26.8 ± 13.5

   

McIntosh et al. (2010) [57]

77 matches (15 Elite, 15 Grade, 24 < 20)

Collisions

Total

Elite: 1422

 

Tackle per hour:

 
    

Grade: 1368

 

Elite: 142

 
    

< 20: 2000

 

Grade: 152

 
      

< 20: 135

 

Quarrie et al. (2007) [63]

26 matches

 

Number of match activities

1995:

2004:

NR

 
  

Scrums

 

33 ± 7

26 ± 7

  
  

Rucks

 

72 ± 18

178 ± 27

  
  

Mauls

 

33 ± 8

22 ± 9

  
  

Tackles

 

160 ± 32

270 ± 25

  

Quarrie et al. (2008) [64]

434 matches

Tackle events

Total analysed

140,269

 

NR

 
   

Per game

203 ± 29

   

Quarrie et al. (2012) [65]

27 matches

Scrums

Per match

Prop: 25 ± 7.8

 

NR

 
    

Hooker: 25 ± 7.6

   
    

Lock: 25 ± 7.9

   
    

Flankers: 25 ± 7.9

   
    

Number 8: 25 ± 7.5

   
  

Mauls

Per match

Prop: 1.4 ± 1.5

   
    

Hooker: 2 ± 2.04

   
    

Lock: 1.9 ± 1.9

   
    

Flankers: 1.8 ± 1

   
    

Number 8: 1.8 ± 1.4

   
    

Scrum Half: 0.2 ± 1

   
    

Fly Half: 0.2 ± 0.8

   
    

Midfield back: 0.3 ± 0.8

   
    

Wing: 0.2 ± 1

   
    

Full back: 0.3 ± 0.8

   
  

Successful tackles

Per match

Prop: 7.9 ± 3.6

   
    

Hooker: 9.7 ± 3.8

   
    

Lock: 11 ± 3.8

   
    

Flankers: 14 ± 4.1

   
    

Number 8: 12 ± 4

   
    

Scrum Half: 8.2 ± 3.3

   
    

Fly Half: 9.7 ± 3.5

   
    

Midfield back: 10 ± 4

   
    

Wing: 5.5 ± 2.7

   
    

Full back: 4.1 ± 2.3

   
  

Number of times tackled

Per match

Prop: 3.6 ± 2.6

   
    

Hooker: 6.2 ± 3.2

   
    

Lock: 4.7 ± 2.8

   
    

Flankers: 6.1 ± 3.4

   
    

Number 8: 9.7 ± 3.9

   
    

Scrum Half: 4.3 ± 2.7

   
    

Fly Half: 3.9 ± 2.6

   
    

Midfield back: 6.5 ± 3.1

   
    

Wing: 5.4 ± 2.9

   
    

Full back: 6.1 ± 3.1

   

Reardon et al. (2017) [24]

13 matches

Collisions

Total

Prop: 33 ± 8

 

NR

 
    

Hooker: 29 ± 8

   
    

Second row: 33 ± 7

   
    

Back row: 42 ± 8

   
    

Scrum half: 10 ± 6

   
    

Out half: 19 ± 3

   
    

Centre: 23 ± 7

   
    

Wing: 22 ± 3

   
    

Fullback: 20 ± 5

   

Reardon et al. (2017) [66]

17 matches

Collisions

NR

NR

 

Tight five forwards: 0.7 ± 0.6–0.8

      

Back row forwards: 0.9 ± 0.8–1.01

      

Inside backs: 0.3 ± 0.2–0.4

      

Outside backs: 0.4 ± 0.3–0.6

Roberts et al. (2008) [68]

NR

  

Forwards:

Backs:

NR

 
  

Rucks

Number

35 ± 8

11 ± 6

  
  

Mauls

 

25 ± 8

4 ± 4

  
  

Scrum

 

21 ± 12

   
  

Tackle

 

14 ± 4

10 ± 4

  

Roberts et al. (2014) [69]

30 matches (10 from each group: A, B, C)

Collisions

Total analysed

370

 

NR

 
  

Scrums

Per match

32.2

   
  

Tackles

Per match

140.9

   
  

Rucks

Per match

115.0

   
  

Mauls

Per match

23.4

   

Schoeman et al. (2015) [73]

30 matches

Tackles

Per position

60

 

NR

 
   

Total tackles in 30 games:

Loose-head prop: 568

   
    

Hooker: 475

   
    

Tight-head prop: 553

   
    

Loose-head lock: 666

   
    

Tight-head lock: 674

   
    

Blind-side flank: 742

   
    

Open-side flank: 868

   
    

Eighthman: 797

   
    

Scrum-half: 423

   
    

Fly-half: 505

   
    

Left wing: 277

   
    

Inside centre: 668

   
    

Outside centre: 515

   
    

Right wing: 319

   
    

Full-back: 301

   
   

Mean collision rate/80 min:

Loose-head prop: 39.3

   
    

Hooker: 38.5

   
    

Tight-head prop: 42.1

   
    

Loose-head lock: 44.8

   
    

Tight-head lock: 41.2

   
    

Blind-side flank: 46.1

   
    

Open-side flank: 50.9

   
    

Eighthman: 43.1

   
    

Scrum-half: 16.3

   
    

Fly-half: 19.5

   
    

Left wing: 19.4

   
    

Inside centre: 32.3

   
    

Outside centre: 25.7

   
    

Right wing: 19.9

   
    

Full-back: 20.5

   
   

Mean tackle rate/80 min:

Loose-head prop: 12.1

   
    

Hooker: 11.1

   
    

Tight-head prop: 13.2

   
    

Loose-head lock: 13.7

   
    

Tight-head lock: 14.1

   
    

Blind-side flank: 16.6

   
    

Open-side flank: 17.3

   
    

Eighthman: 14.7

   
    

Scrum-half: 8.9

   
    

Fly-half: 9.4

   
    

Left wing: 5.2

   
    

Inside centre: 12.9

   
    

Outside centre: 9.9

   
    

Right wing: 6.3

   
    

Full-back: 5.4

   

Smart et al. (2008) [74]

5 matches

  

Forwards:

Backs:

Forwards:

Backs:

  

Tackles made

Per match

13.6 ± 7.5

6.5 ± 4.7

0.6 ± 0.2

0.2 ± 0.1

  

Scrum

Number

12 ± 4.4

0

  
  

Scrum

Total

147.4 ± 89.8

0

  
  

Impact

Per match

43.6 ± 18.3

13.5 ± 7.4

  
  

Collisions

     

Smart et al. (2014) [75]

296 matches

Tackles

Successful tackles (%)

Forwards:

Backs:

NR

 
    

88 ± 14

80 ± 20

  

Takarada (2003) [79]

2 matches

Tackle

Mean tackles per match

14 ± 7.4

 

NR

 

Tucker et al. (2017) [85]

1516 matches

Rucks

Per match

162.9

 

NR

 
  

Mauls

Per match

10.4

   
  

Tackles

Per match

158

   
   

Tackles/player/match

Fly half: 5

   
    

Scrum half: 3.8

   
    

Centre: 5.8

   
    

Full back: 2.1

   
    

Wing: 2.7

   
    

Hooker: 6.9

   
    

Number 8: 6.4

   
    

Prop: 5.5

   
    

Lock: 6.1

   
    

Flanker: 7.4

   

Van Rooyen et al. (2008) [86]

7 matches

Impact contacts

Average per game

Total: 386

 

NR

 
    

Forwards: 257

   
    

Backs: 125

   
   

Scrum:

Forwards: 81

   
   

Ruck:

Forwards: 48

   
    

Backs: 8

   
   

Maul:

Forwards: 14

   
    

Backs: 4.5

   

Van Rooyen et al. (2012) [87]

69 matches

Tackles

Total per match

21,886 (average 159 ± 42)

 

NR

 
   

6 Nations

165 ± 28

   
   

Tri Nations

141 ± 24

   
   

RWC

156 ± 47

   

Van Rooyen et al. (2014) [88]

15 matches

Tackle

Tackle situations per match

Average: 191 ± 32

 

NR

 
    

Average winning team: 89 ± 30

   
    

Average losing team: 101 ± 24

   

Vaz et al. (2010) [89]

ons: 64 matches

Tackles made:

Total

Winners:

Losers:

NR

 
    

88 ± 27.6

89 ± 37.8

  
 

S12 competition: 95 matches

  

112.7 ± 33.1

99.4 ± 30

  

Vaz et al. (2012) [90]

Training session (Small sided games)

Tackles

Tackles made:

Novice:

Experienced:

NR

 
    

28.2 ± 3.3

48.7 ± 3.3

  

Villarejo et al. (2013) [92]

48 matches

Tackles

Attempted tackles

Front row: 10

 

NR

 
    

Second row: 10.9

   
    

Back row: 14.3

   
    

Scrum halves: 12.5

   
    

Middle backs: 10.5

   
    

Back three: 5.9

   
   

Tackles made

Front row: 8

   
    

Second row: 8.6

   
    

Back row: 11.2

   
    

Scrum halves: 8.3

   
    

Middle backs: 7.2

   
    

Back three: 3.7

   
   

Ineffective tackles

Front row: 0.7

   
    

Second row: 0.6

   
    

Back row: 1.1

   
    

Scrum halves: 1.7

   
    

Middle backs: 1.2

   
    

Back three: 0.9

   

Villarejo et al. (2015) [93]

48 matches

Tackles

Attempted tackles

Winning team:

Losing team:

NR

 
    

Front row: 10.5 ± 14.04

Front row: 9.4 ± 12.4

  
    

Second row: 10.2 ± 8.6

Second row: 11.6 ± 14.9

  
    

Back row: 14.5 ± 14.6

Back row: 14.2 ± 17.6

  
    

Scrum halves: 9.5 ± 11.1

Scrum halves: 15.3 ± 24.7

  
    

Inside backs: 9.3 ± 12.9

Inside backs: 11.4 ± 10.6

  
    

Outside backs: 5.5 ± 9.6

Outside backs: 6.2 ± 7.4

  
   

Effective tackles:

Front row: 8.9 ± 12.9

Front row: 6.8 ± 9.8

  
    

Second row: 8.4 ± 7.3

Second row: 8.7 ± 9.5

  
    

Back row: 12 ± 11.6

Back row: 10.6 ± 14.9

  
    

Scrum halves: 7.5 ± 9.3

Scrum halves: 8.8 ± 15.4

  
    

Inside backs: 7.02 ± 10.9

Inside backs: 7.1 ± 7.2

  
    

Outside backs: 4 ± 7.5

Outside backs: 3.3 ± 3.7

  
   

Ineffective tackles:

Front row: 0.5 ± 2

Front row: 0.9 ± 2.4

  
    

Second row: 0.5 ± 1.1

Second row: 0.8 ± 1.5

  
    

Back row: 1 ± 4.1

Back row: 1.1 ± 2.8

  
    

Scrum halves: 1.1 ± 3.1

Scrum halves: 2.3 ± 6

  
    

Inside backs: 0.7 ± 2.03

Inside backs: 1.5 ± 2.8

  
    

Outside backs: 0.5 ± 1.7

Outside backs: 1.4 ± 6.1

  

Virr et al. (2014) [94]

10 matches

Ruck/maul/tackle

Total number

Forwards:

Backs:

NR

 
  

Scrum

 

61 ± 12

25 ± 11

  
    

33 ± 7

   

Rugby sevens

Clarke et al. (2016) [37]

2 matches

Collisions

Collisions

Men: 51

 

NR

 
    

Women: 44

   

Hendricks et al. (2019) [3]

135 matches

Tackles

Per match

1.9 ± 1.3

 

NR

 
   

Total

8.4 ± 4.1

   
  

Ruck

Total

0.4 ± 0.7

   

Higham et al. (2014) [5]

196 matches

Scrums

Per team per match

  

NR

 
  

Rucks

Per team per match

    
  

Mauls

Per team per match

    

Peeters et al. (2019) [60]

32 matches

Contact actions

Tackles/collisions/rucks/ mauls

Forwards:

Backs:

NR

 
    

First half: 5.3 ± 2.8

First half: 5.3 ± 3

  
    

Second half: 6.3 ± 2.9

Second half: 6.1 ± 2.7

  

Reyneke et al. (2018) [67]

15 matches

Tackles:

Low (< 21 score):

3.4 ± 1.8

 

NR

 
   

High (>/ = 21 score):

3 ± 2

   
  

Scrums

Low (< 21 score):

1.6 ± 1.3

   
   

High (>/ = 21 score):

1.2 ± 1.8

   
  

Ball Carry

Low (< 21 score):

4.4 ± 2.9

   
   

High (>/ = 21 score):

4.9 ± 2.5

   

Ross et al. (2015) [70]

NR

Tackles:

Total

NR

   
   

Provincial:

  

0.2 ± 0.1

 
   

International:

  

0.2 ± 0.2

 
  

Rucks:

Provincial:

  

0.1 ± 0.1

 
   

International:

  

0.2 ± 0.2

 
  

Ball Carries:

Provincial:

  

0.3 ± 0.2

 
   

International:

  

0.2 ± 0.2

 

Ross et al. (2015) [71]

54 matches

  

Forwards:

Backs:

NR

 
  

Tackles

Per match

2.7 ± 2.6

2.41 ± 2.5

  
  

Scrums

 

1.8 ± 1.9

   
  

Ball Carries

 

3.2 ± 2.4

4.1 ± 3.2

  

Ross et al. (2016) [72]

37 matches (between team analysis)

Tackles

Dominant tackles per match:

2.1 ± 2.3

 

NR

 
 

50 matches (single team analysis)

 

Ineffective tackles:

8.1 ± 3.9

   
  

Rucks

Defensive ruck average per match:

1.2 ± 0.3

   
   

Ruck average:

1.2 ± 0.2

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