Six Nations 2024: Players to wear smart mouthguards to help manage concussion
- Published
The 2024 Six Nations will begin when France host Ireland in Paris on 2 February
Players in this year's Six Nations will wear smart mouthguards to help medics manage concussion.
The custom-fitted mouthguards will deliver live updates enabling medical staff to determine when off-field head injury assessments are required.
They will be worn during training session as well as matches.
Their introduction follows a trial of the instrumented mouthguards in the inaugural WXV - a new international women's competition - last October.
"Six Nations Rugby, its unions and federations are focused on driving the game-wide commitment to prioritise player welfare and innovate in this area," Julie Paterson, director of rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said.
"[It is] to ensure we are using the latest technology and enhancing our processes where relevant, to protect the players."
The Six Nations begins on Friday 2 February when defending champions Ireland travel to Paris to face last year's runners-up France.
In the other opening round matches, on 3 February, England face Italy in Rome before Wales host Scotland.