Differences in playing experience, anthropometry and performance measures between Under 16 schoolboy rugby players classified as starters or non-starters: A comparative cross-sectional study

Background: Schoolboy rugby is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Although sports participation is commendable because of its health benefits, the involvement of schoolchildren in highly competitive rugby continues to stimulate research interest. Questions regarding schoolboys possessing the requisite qualities/skills are inevitable and should be addressed scientifically.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine potential differences in playing experience, anthropometry, and performance measures (physiological characteristics and game-specific skills) between starting and non-starting players in schoolboy rugby.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was utilised with 71 rugby players playing Under 16 rugby. The participants came from three secondary schools based in Harare, Zimbabwe, known for playing highly competitive rugby. The participants were measured for playing experience, anthropometry and performance measures such as speed, agility, upper-and-lower-muscular strength/power, muscle flexibility, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, tackling, passing, and catching abilities.

Results: The starters had more playing experience in competitive schoolboy rugby than non-starters (p<0.001). The Wall Sit Leg Strength test for lower-limb isometric strength (p=0.01), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 test for prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability (p=0.03), Tackling Proficiency test (p=0.02), Passing Ability Skills test (p=0.01), and Passing-for-Accuracy over 7 m test (p<0.001) discriminated starters from non-starters. The starters showed superior scores compared to the non-starters.

Conclusion: These results indicate that the qualities/skills are better developed among starters and that further training by coaches is needed among the non-starters.