Community and elite former rugby union players reported a substantially higher number of concussions, injuries requiring hospital treatment and injuries that stopped participation in sport permanently, than non-contact sport players.

A greater percentage of former rugby players reported that they had osteoarthritis and consumed alcohol at more hazardous levels compared with former non-contact sport players.

There was little difference between rugby players and non-contact sports athletes in self-reported mood, substance use, or current physical and psychological health ratings.