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PLAYER MONITORING DEVICES • Performance specification developed • Three testing protocols • Impact attenuation• Compression resistance• Size and shape requirements • Only devices tested and carrying the World Rugby approved logo will be permitted once admitted into Law.80 WORLD RUGBY YEAR IN REVIEW 2015The World Rugby Technical Services equipment and research function looks after everything from turf to wearable technology and also funded two research projects in 2015. Here are some facts and statistics relating to different types of equipment used in the international game.RESEARCH CORNERPADDED CLOTHINGWhat are Law 4 and Regulation 12?Law 4 details the rules relating to players’ clothing and what can and cannot be worn. Regulation 12 deals in detail with the testing criteria for head, shoulder and breast padding. What does the Regulation test?1. The product design – areas of coverage that the padding provides 2. Impact attenuation – product mounted on head form or test anvil to test different impacts 3. Retention system testing: Strength – strength of the chinstrap 4. Retention system testing: Effectiveness – how the headgear stays on the head when subjected to forces IN NUMBERS214 headgear products 43 brands265 shoulder padding products12 breast padding products3 test houses RIGHTPerformance analysis can be aided by wearable technology such as PMDsINSPIRING PARTICIPATION | RESEARCH CORNER