Originally Posted by Merkaba

The only time you should need padding is when you're eather faced with a solid object moving at speeds greater than 50mph/85kph (cricket or hockey etc) or you yourself are moving at great speed (cycling or motorsport etc).

Why you Americans have to hype everything up, "oh padding, that'll make us look like we're playing a deadly game". or "I love the way these shoulder pads feel, mmm they're so silky and smooth mmm". You don't need them, take them away and you've got athletes more designed for high-jump.

The ball is in your possession, also note, at least the brits are game enough to play rugby, they may suck of late, but at least they don't run out onto the field looking like tin-head pansy's when they don't need to.