I have noticed that in the last 5+ seasons that there is hardly 1 rugby league player who wears protective equipment, and as a result players are getting more and more shoulder/upper arm/head injuries as a result. I remember in the 80s/90s players were head to toe in protective gear such as shoulder pads, headguards gumshields, where as today there in about 5 players who wear protection, and this is after they have had the injury (B.J.Bishop`s headguard, Fozzards forearm etc)

My point is that I reckon if players were to wear more, than the chance of a serious injury would reduce. Menzies still wears shoulder pads, gumshield and scrum cap, and rarely gets injured at 39). Liam Salter at Hull KR just had a shoulder reconstruction after only 1/2 a season in the top flight, he wore none. For such a contact sport (on par with American Football) the players seem to not care about there bodies. I played from 7-18 and my father was adamant on me wearing shin/shoulder/forearm pads, gum shield and a headguard similar to Menzies`.

I think it may be down to restricting movement, but the gear has evolved from the "Hillary Devay" ones that were about to tightfitting ones.

Joan Collins never had a serious shoulder injury all the time she wore shoulder pads in Dynasty

Some players do, for instance Sinfield wears bicep pads. I think just as many players wear gum shields now as did in the past. There does seem to have been a doing away with shoulder pads, possibly due to the skin tight shirts worn now, but I haven't particularly noticed a dramatic increase in upper body injuries, I'd say the biggest issue injury-wise is legs/knees.

Cricket boxes?

The biggest loss to the game are tie-ups. I used to run on the pitch and collect them off players and then promptly threw them in the bin when I got home. What was the point of that?

As for shoulder pads - it has to be down to the pace of the game. All players need to be more agile and of a quicker pace.

It might be an idea to have a lightweight padded area sewn into the shirt around the problem area?

anything that helps prevent injuries must be a good thing

TBH, the guys who get the shoulder injuries tend on the whole to be the ones who use the shoulder to lead into the tackle a la Sam Burgess. He's always smashing into people shoulder first and usually spends the off season having surgery on it

Wasn’t there some research undertaken that shows most shoulder injuries occur from impact from the side i.e. the top of the arm rather than from the top of the shoulder, which is the area the pads protect

With young kids it apears to come in & out of fasion, with the pro players they dont seem to use them as much as you have to carry the extra weight for the whole game so they only protect areas that need it, ie the sternum after a knock there. As a coach I think it is only a mental thing with some players as it not only cushions your body but the body of the player you hit. Also they are an encumberance if you only wear them for the game, if you intend to wear them you should train in them as well to get used to the restriction in movment ect. As one pro I heard say if you are good enough you dont need them if you need them you aint good enough.

Also, not enough moustaches these days.

allot of players still where padding. its just that it is not as clearly visible. most padded are so far advanced that they fit ergonomically and sculptured around the body better. plus they are lighter and thinner. the old style pads wwf legion of doom type pads where useless anyway. most pads will not stop joint bone ligament injuries just reduce superficial bruising and damage.
most players where gum shields but again they are better quality and fitted by a dentist so they aren't as noticeable.

Wintergreen.

I used to wear pads when I played until one day when I forgot them and I thought I tackled harder without them. I don't know if this is true f profesionals or not. Also they do seemto have a fair amount of strapping, this could be either for protection or securing a weaker part of their body or both.

Whatever happened to those white strips in the mid-90s that players used to apply on the nose to help them breathe better? Hopefully exhaling/inhaling is a skill much improved in RL these days.

There should be some for the Autumn Internationals. Movember an' all that.