Rugby scrum cap or taped ears?

[sawman]

My lad plays rugby at under 15’s. With the lads getting bigger injuries also get more noticable. He usually plays 2 or 7. Last week he had the top part of his ear torn so its a bit delicate. Going forwards to avoid similar injuries the question of taping versus scrum cap came up. He gets very hot when playing so taping might be more comfortable.
Grateul for any tips from any old hands (i never really played rugby, and i am not sure scrum caps were even around then!)

[Welshbeef]

Scrum caps have pros in so far that any head collision will have some cushioning
Conversely it’s great to hold onto and pull hard/- in an international game you sometimes seee them pulling out of a maul... that’s a huge amount of force to break the clasp and will hurt the neck.
Pro it’s seconds to put on and consistent.

Tape - not easy to do yourself inconsistent
Pros cheap nothing to pull on really it’s old school love it.

I never used either but if I played now I’d likely go cap then if getting hot unload a bottle of water onto my head to cool me down.

[FerdiZ28]

Welshbeef said:

Scrum caps have pros in so far that any head collision will have some cushioning
Conversely it’s great to hold onto and pull hard/- in an international game you sometimes seee them pulling out of a maul... that’s a huge amount of force to break the clasp and will hurt the neck.
Pro it’s seconds to put on and consistent.

Tape - not easy to do yourself inconsistent
Pros cheap nothing to pull on really it’s old school love it.

I never used either but if I played now I’d likely go cap then if getting hot unload a bottle of water onto my head to cool me down.

I agree with all of that. When I played prop (LH or TH) and wore one I relished the comfort in the scrum, but did find it a bit enveloping when in moving play - I found I could hear and locate calls better without it.

Never used tape as I found it always coming off and being abjt useless - and leaves lines for the session afterward!

[Raddors]

Agree with the above if he's playing 2 a cap will be far better, but I never really got on with them at back row as you miss calls and it messed with my periphery. At his age though a cap will be positive for collisions and may help confidence going into tackles. I would try and get on with a cap first, if it doesn't work for him so be it.

[Deesee]

Try some medical tape (3m brand) it’s breathable and cheap, see how he gets on with it, something stronger he may need an “EAB” style tape, also look for some athletic style tape it’s a bit stronger (but more sweaty/non breatheable) he may be able to get along with that, it also can be used to place ice packs etc on the body, so very useful.

[2Btoo]

Deesee said:

Try some medical tape (3m brand) it’s breathable and cheap, see how he gets on with it, something stronger he may need an “EAB” style tape, also look for some athletic style tape it’s a bit stronger (but more sweaty/non breatheable) he may be able to get along with that, it also can be used to place ice packs etc on the body, so very useful.

As said, there are a number of different tape options and your mileage may vary. I use plain old electrical tape and always have done and it's fine, but I know others hate it. (It's not pretty but neither are rugby players - particularly when you've been playing for 30 years, like me!)

[Deesee]

2Btoo said:

As said, there are a number of different tape options and your mileage may vary. I use plain old electrical tape and always have done and it's fine, but I know others hate it. (It's not pretty but neither are rugby players - particularly when you've been playing for 30 years, like me!)

Op might be worth speaking to the club physio and seeing if he can recommend something you can get a few uses out of, wrists/ankles/head/support etc..

[tight5]

This might be of interest to you -

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-cen...


Back when i was playing, i had issues with tearing the top of my ears where they join the head.
So i got some tape ( this stuff ) and did a loop round my head, sticky side out. Then another loop on top of the first, sticky side in so they stick together. Kept using it week after week.

[sawman]

Thanks all.

I got hold of some EAB tape, and have just picked up a scrum cap today. He has a festival tomorrow, so we will see how it goes with plenty of rugby all day. I think he feels more secure in the cap, but aware that hearing is a bit compromised, I'll keep the tape in my pocket as a fall back position.

[anonymous-user]

2Btoo said:

As said, there are a number of different tape options and your mileage may vary. I use plain old electrical tape and always have done and it's fine, but I know others hate it. (It's not pretty but neither are rugby players - particularly when you've been playing for 30 years, like me!)

I used to play with a hooker who used electrical tape. He used to hold the tape above his head and move his head round whilst growling rather than move the tape and keep his head still.

fking nutcase

Was very useful if it kicked off though

[Monkeylegend]

Doesn't it hurt when you pull the tape off, a bit like a back sack and crack experience

I think I would be more worried about getting the crown jewels grabbed in the scrum from behind

[ClaphamGT3]

I played 5 then 7 all my rugby career and used tape. Caps are constricting and, as others have said, easy for the opposition to pull on

[Derek Smith]

For a 15-year-old a scrum cap has some advantages. One can reduce the incidence of head injuiries - my lad had to give up rugby because of the number of concussions, but too macho to wear one.

It's advantages are not that dramatic in normal play but if there is a severe impact, it helps a little.

There is a little problem with reduced hearing, but at 15 his should still be acute enough.

[carinatauk]

At his age and playing level, scrum cap all the way.

If he progresses to the higher leagues then revisit it. Personally I found it blocked to much sound, so had to resort to a band / tape.

[BigBen]

I play at 5 and use electrical tape. Has served me well so far.

[joefraser]

I didnt like the effect the cap had on my senses, much to my dismay after saving to but one at 15.

Combination of medical tape and electrical tape worked best for me.

[Fury RS]

I played mostly at loosehead but also tighthead when required. As previously mentioned my choice was insulation tape and plenty of vaseline over my ears. Tried the bandage under the tape but found it always worked loose and would come off. Tried a scrumcap once, could not get on with it...