Rugby contact and collisions--clinical challenges of a global game.

Rugby Union (rugby) is a sport that evolved from and resembles other forms of football but is unique in many respects and presents distinctive clinical challenges. This article discusses those aspects of rugby that are different from other sports and those injuries that have specific significance to the game as a result of it being a global collision sport with an increasing focus on serious injury prevention. Injury screening and intervention programs, neck injuries, rugby's contribution to evolving concussion protocols, contact and travel-related illnesses, and rugby's drug intervention protocols are discussed.