Rugby equipment retail serves both union and league codes across amateur, youth, and professional levels. The UK has strong participation in both codes plus growing touch rugby and tag rugby participation. Unlike football, rugby is a contact sport with specific protective equipment requirements — body armour, shoulder pads, and scrum caps must meet World Rugby safety standards for competitive use.

Product categories

Rugby boots: FG, SG, AG, and moulded stud configurations. Position-specific boots.
Balls: Match balls (World Rugby approved), training balls, replica balls. Size 3/4/5.
Protective equipment: Body armour/contact suit, shoulder pads, scrum cap, mouthguard.
Training aids: Tackle bags, tackle shields, scrum machines, cones, agility poles.
Club kit: Match jerseys, shorts, socks, training tops. Sublimation printing.
Accessories: Kicking tees, boot bags, water bottles, grip spray, strapping tape.
Referee equipment: Whistles, flags, cards, timers, position indicators.

Rugby boot specifications

product.metafields.rugby.stud_type = "SG / FG / AG / Moulded"
product.metafields.rugby.stud_material = "Metal screw-in / Moulded rubber"
product.metafields.rugby.stud_config = "8 / 6 stud"         // SG typically 8 metal, FG 6 moulded
product.metafields.rugby.position = "Forward / Back / All-position"
product.metafields.rugby.ankle_support = "Low / Mid / High"
product.metafields.rugby.toe_cap = "Reinforced"
product.metafields.rugby.upper_material = "Leather / Synthetic"
product.metafields.rugby.weight_g = "280"

World Rugby approved protective equipment

World Rugby regulates protective equipment used in sanctioned matches. Products must meet World Rugby Regulation 12 to be used in competition:

Body armour (contact suits): World Rugby Regulation 12 — padding must not exceed 1cm thickness; total shoulder pad area and density limits. "World Rugby Approved" certification visible on product.
Shoulder pads: Same Regulation 12 limits — note on product whether World Rugby approved for competition or training-only
Scrum caps / head guards: World Rugby approved scrum caps for competition. Must not be hard-shelled. EN 13087 not applicable — World Rugby has own testing protocol.
Mouthguards: Mandatory in rugby union. Boil-and-bite vs custom; shock absorption rating

product.metafields.rugby.world_rugby_approved = "true"       // Regulation 12 compliance
product.metafields.rugby.padding_thickness_mm = "8"          // max 10mm for WR approval
product.metafields.rugby.use_type = "Competition / Training"

Ball specifications

product.metafields.rugby.ball_size = "3 / 4 / 5"            // 3=mini/youth, 4=youth, 5=adult
product.metafields.rugby.world_rugby_approved = "true"       // match ball certification
product.metafields.rugby.ball_type = "Match / Training / Replica"
product.metafields.rugby.code = "Union / League / Touch"     // ball shape differs slightly

Club kit and sublimation printing

Rugby club kits are typically produced via sublimation printing (dye-sublimated all-over print) which gives the characteristic gradient and pattern designs of rugby jerseys:

Sublimation printing: full-colour, all-over design directly into polyester fabric — durable, no cracking or peeling
Minimum order: sublimation jerseys typically require minimum 10–15 units per design
Design process: clubs submit artwork or use a template builder — handle this via a contact form or dedicated B2B quote flow
Size range: XS–5XL typically offered; women's cut and junior sizes for full squad ordering
Shopify for B2B kit orders: use contact form + order form PDF or a dedicated wholesale app for multi-player orders with individual names/numbers

Tackle bags and training equipment shipping

Large training equipment (tackle bags, tackle shields, tackle tubes, scrum machines) is oversized and heavy:

Tackle bags and shields: typically 10–25 kg, require pallet or specialist freight for orders of 5+
Scrum machines: very heavy (200–800 kg) — delivery by freight with installation
Separate shipping profile in Shopify for heavy training equipment
For very large orders (school/club fit-out), a quote-based sales process is more practical than standard checkout

Post-migration checklist for rugby equipment stores

Boots: stud type (SG/FG/AG), stud material, and position as metafields
Protective equipment: World Rugby Regulation 12 approval status noted on all body armour and scrum caps
Balls: World Rugby approved status and size as metafields; code (union/league) noted
Club kit: B2B quote process for sublimation jersey orders; minimum order quantities noted
Heavy training equipment: separate shipping profile with freight rates
Mouthguards: mandatory status in rugby union noted; custom-fit option highlighted

Migrating a rugby equipment store from WooCommerce to Shopify (2026)