Injuries to the chest are not common. Only 0 - 5% of all injuries sustained on the field are chest injuries.

A direct blow to the chest can cause bruising of the muscles, fractured ribs, costochondral (the small joints between the sternum and ribs) separation and dislocation and occasionally a sternum fracture. Although rare, internal injuries to the lungs and heart may occur and there have been incidences of sudden death syndrome in rugby players.

(Health24, September 2011)