Special issue: Science and rugby

Since the inception of professionalism in rugby union there has been an exponential growth of research examining key topics centred around advancing our understanding of the game from a physiological, medical, psychological and biomechanical basis. A simple Pubmed search using the term rugby union for the initial year of professionalism (1996) yielded only seven papers. However, the same search performed for 2014 returned 98 papers, with the majority of this work focused on trying to get a better understanding of the game demands, key sites and causes of injury and optimal preparation strategies. In addition, recently World Rugby has aided in the set-up of a Rugby Science Network (http:// playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/sciencenetwork). The primary aim of this global network of researchers is to provide a forum that brings together the expertise of academics and professionals working in the Game. With the Rugby World Cup 2015 fast approaching, we felt it timely to draw together the most current research from all cognate areas of sport science. As researchers and practitioners specialising in Rugby Union we have a strong interest in what knowledge is beneficial for player performance, and also the researchers and groups answering these important performance questions. In this special issue of the European Journal of Sport and Exercise Science we present a total of 14 articles from a wide range of sport science topics.