Rugby shorts

They are designed to take the strains of the game and have traditionally been made from cotton, in 1971 Polyester shorts were worn by international rugby teams such as Wales.

[2][3] While the most popular material has been cotton, modern shorts can also be made from higher grade polyester with reinforced seams.

In particular: "A player must not wear any items containing buckles, clips, rings, hinges, zippers, screws, bolts or rigid material or projection."

[7] The use of hard plastic padding of any kind, including abdominal guards (box), is forbidden in most leagues.

In the United States, the high-padding of American football has influenced some junior leagues to allow, or in some cases require, abdominal guards and jock straps.