Many players including professionals and the coaches, wear products like these to help with the normal bangs and bumps of a rugby game and it is not seen as "weak" to wear protective gear. These are products that can help take the initial shock of a hit in rugby. They help help with concussions, and help protect the upper body; maily the lower rids, collar bone and sternum. These products are not hard plastic and will not prevent all injuries or give a player a physical edge. What protective gear can do is boost a players confidence, calm parents and help to prevent the smaller injuries that are present in a game of rugby.