The IRFU and Lero, Research Ireland's UL-headquartered centre for software, will use artificial intelligence to analyse rugby tackles in order to improve player welfare and performance.

The project will be led by Prof Anthony Ventresque, director of the Complex Software Lab within the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin, and is intended to provide coaches, players and referees with insights into tackle technique and identify areas of improvement to reduce the risk of injury.

The project stems from the IRFU's decision to lower the tackle height in the domestic game, and the insights gained from video analysis will help identify the trial's impact on player welfare and the overall game.

In 2023, nearly 300 former rugby players suing World Rugby, England's Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, claiming to have sustained brain damage through playing the sport. A trial date is yet to be set for the lawsuit.

"Our research is focused on developing AI that can understand the complexities of rugby tackles. By analysing large amounts of video data, we can identify patterns and trends that may not be apparent to the human eye," said Prof Ventresque.

"This information can be used to develop targeted training programs to improve tackle technique and player safety."

PhD researchers Will Connors and Caoilfhionn Ní Dheoráin and Dr Kathryn Dane will collaborate on research to develop AI models capable of automatically identifying and analysing the tackle event.

Connors has a computer science background and represented Ireland at senior, U20 and sevens level. He believes AI has the potential to analyse and optimise tackle technique.

"I believe this research can help players at all levels improve their tackling skills and contribute to a more exciting and dynamic game," he commented.

Dr Dane, who also represented Ireland at senior level, said the project would highlight the crucial link between technique and safety in rugby at all levels of the game.

"By using AI to analyse a large number of tackles, we can identify specific areas where technique can be improved to enhance both performance and player welfare."

Computer scientist Ní Dheoráin said she is excited by the challenge of applying machine learning at scale to analyse rugby tackles in the domestic club and school game.

"This project offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of AI and contribute to a deeper understanding of this complex and dynamic sport."

Dr Caithriona Yeomans, medical manager for the IRFU, said the research will be hugely helpful to enhancing player welfare in rugby.

"By understanding the mechanics of tackles and identifying areas for improvement, we can help players develop safer and more effective techniques," she added.

"The collaboration with Lero and the Complex Software Lab at Trinity College Dublin is invaluable in our ongoing efforts to make rugby a safer sport for all."

Colm Finnegan, the IRFU’s national rugby development manager and tackle trial project lead, said: “We are excited to work with Lero to be at the forefront of innovation in such an important area of Rugby, which reaffirms our aim of making the sport as safe as possible whilst also being an enjoyable game for all.”

The project has already completed publications analysing how AI can be trained to accurately detect essential elements in rugby videos, and examining tackle techniques in the women's game. The project's findings will be presented at international conferences and published in academic journals.

Photo: Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan offloads in the tackle during the Six Nations international rugby union match between Scotland and Ireland at Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday. (Pic: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)