Rugby is a full on contact sport. It is a sport that does take a toll on the body as it is a very aggressive game. Rugby headguards and such gear while not mandatory are used to minimize injury. It is usually used to protect the ears that can get torn during play which leaves players with injuries referred to as cauliflower ears. Rugby headguards are especially needed to protect the scalp during play and to an extent prevent concussions. Headguards are considered by some as essential and by others as not so. However, it makes sense to try and minimize head injuries as far as possible by wearing headguards. Rugby players are very fit players with the physical ability to endure pain while in play. Headguards help reduce the long term physical damage the sport can cause, especially to the head area.
Head injuries are a common occurrence in rugby and headguards referred to as scrum caps, minimize the impact. While prevention is not possible it cushions the impact of blows to reduce the stress to the head. The headguards absorb the shock of the impact. The headguards of today are lightweight and durable. The lightweight material used to make the caps allow the players to hear properly during play. One of the reasons players opt out of wearing headguards is due to it impairing their hearing during the game. The modern headguards are flexible and allow ventilation, proper air circulation, so that the player does not have to deal with sweat and becoming clammy which affects performance. Also the headguard should be comfortable and have a very close fit so as to avoid it slipping during the game. A heardguard that slips can be dangerous as it would obstruct the players vision. A scrum cap above all should be comfortable for the player as it has to be worn throughout the game.
Players who wear headguards are being practical in taking measures to prevent permanent physical damage. Torn earns, concussion plus trauma are all very real head injuries that players sustain while playing rugby, especially during scrums. The modern headguards do not in any way hamper the game and are custom made for comfort and flexibility throughout play.