Author(s): HU, Z., BOISBLUCHE, S., PHILIPPE, K., HENRY, M., DELMAS, T., DING, S., PRIOUX, J., Institution: ÉCOLE NORMALE SUPÉRIEURE DE RENNES, Country: FRANCE, Abstract-ID: 2080

INTRODUCTION:
Although anthropometric and physical characteristics are well-documented in senior rugby (Posthumus et al., 2020), limited research has comprehensively examined the developmental trajectory across the academy pathway combining multiple age categories with four detailed positional roles. The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite academy rugby union (RU) players stratified by three age categories (U16, U18, U23) and four specific playing positions.
METHODS:
A total of 125 male players from the academy of a professional French club (Rugby Club of Vannes) participated in the study during the 2024-2025 season. Participants were categorized into three age categories (U16, U18, and U23) and further subdivided into four positional subgroups (tight forwards, loose forwards, halves, and back lines). Assessments included anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of four skinfolds) and physical measures (speed:10-, 20-, and 40-m sprint; upper-and-lower muscular strength and power: bench press, pull-up, squat, broad jump and countermovement jumps [CMJ]; aerobic endurance: Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 [Yo-Yo IR1]). Differences among age categories and positional groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
RESULTS:
Age-related analyses revealed that height, body mass, strength, and explosive power qualities significantly increase with age. However, increases in body mass may negatively impact aerobic endurance and sprint performance. In addition, sprint performance showed clear age-dependent and distance-specific positional patterns, with no positional differences at U16, pronounced differences at U18 where halves were significantly faster than tight forwards in 10-, 20- and 40- m sprints, and significant differences at U23 where halves and back lines were significantly faster than tight forwards in 10- and 20- m sprints, while 40 m sprint converged across positions. Across all age groups, halves demonstrated higher aerobic endurance compared with tight forwards. In addition, age-related development within positions is largely driven by increases in body mass and strength, particularly among tight and loose forwards. In contrast, sprint performance and aerobic endurance tend to remain stable within positions across age groups. Loose forwards emerged as the position undergoing the most comprehensive physical transformation across adolescence, while halves and back lines exhibited relatively stable physical profiles.
CONCLUSION:
Findings highlight that both playing positions and age categories substantially influence anthropometric and physical characteristics in elite youth RU players. Importantly, positional differentiation begins early in the academy pathway. Consequently, practitioners should implement position-specific conditioning interventions alongside age-appropriate development strategies to prepare players for the demands of senior professional RU.