Tracking devices

Depp

last few ireland matches been noticin strange bulges at the back of players necks...its not that obvious on the match jerseys but its really noticeable on the training jerseys...just wondering are these some sort of gps tracking devices or just padding? :P

Hagz

Pretty much. The players also wear an under-vest that goes with it, as pictured. Except Sexton is wearing over his t-shirt.


It does a lot of things. Monitors heart rate, tracks how many miles a player runs in a game, and where on the pitch they spent most of their time etc. Sky Sports did a special on it and it was really interesting. The players these days can't get away with much.

theboss80

Im pretty sure its for calculation re hydration needs and recovery plans for the fitness coaches and medical staff.

Hagz

Here ya go. Wasn't Sky Sports, it was Total Rugby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJMfCZCV48U

Depp

Yeah i know about them...there very common nowadays, i just thought with the stringent irb regulations something like that wouldnt be allowed in a match jersey due to safety concerns and thet haha

GerM

Don't think they're allowed in an official match but I'm pretty sure that Leinster have used them in their pre-season friendlies in the past.