The Big Hit in Rugby (Carnegie Conversations #3)
From Beckett Talks by Leeds Beckett University
December 16, 2025 · 48 min · Season 3 · Episode 3
About this episode
This episode discusses the use of instrumented mouthguards in rugby to prevent head injuries and improve concussion protocols.
In this episode, Tanya Arnold dives into the groundbreaking technology of instrumented mouthguards. These cutting-edge devices measure head acceleration to help detect and prevent head injuries in rugby. Professor Ben Jones (Leeds Beckett University), Ross Tucker (World Rugby), and Karl Hogan (Prevent Biometrics), reveal how reveal how this technology works, the science that proves it, and what it means for the future of the sport. Discover why real-time data is changing concussion protocols, what adoption of this technology looks like across men’s and women’s rugby, and how this innovation could shape the future of contact sports worldwide. From elite athletes to grassroots players, this conversation reveals the long-term vision for reducing risk and protecting players. Listen now to learn how technology, research, and sport are coming together to tackle one of rugby’s biggest challenges.
People in this episode
Host: Tanya Arnold
Guests: Professor Ben Jones, Ross Tucker, Karl Hogan
Topics covered
- rugby
- technology
- head injuries
- concussion protocols
- sports innovation
Keywords
- rugby
- mouthguards
- head injuries
- concussion
- sports technology
- data
- safety
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Leeds Beckett University, World Rugby, Prevent Biometrics
More episodes of Beckett Talks
- Farooq Chaudhry: Between the Light and the Shadow (Dancing Class) · May 26, 2026 · 1h 59m
- Brendan Keaney OBE: Not BBC Material (Dancing Class) · May 26, 2026 · 1h 26m
- Dr Kate Marsh: Class, Care and Precarity (Dancing Class) · April 17, 2026 · 1h 33m
- Jonzi D: Breakin Class Convention (Dancing Class) · March 19, 2026 · 1h 33m
- Martin Hargreaves: North-West Side Story (Dancing Class) · March 10, 2026 · 1h 25m
- Sarah Blanc: Class Ceiling (Dancing Class) · March 4, 2026 · 1h 22m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Beckett Talks podcast page.