Elite male rugby union players have a decreased active cervical range of motion the severity of which correlates to years of playing and position played (Lark and McCarthy; 2007, 2010). Although the female game has yet to attain full professional status, the players are still generally subjected to the same game related activities and therefore might be expected to also accumulate degenerative changes in vertebral joints. This study was therefore designed to determine if playing a contact sport such as rugby union decreases cervical (neck) active flexion/extension in the elite female game. Methodology The protocol used in this study is the same as that described previously (Lark and McCarthy, 2007). Female Welsh international Rugby Union players in the 2011 pre-season training camp squad were invited to participate (age 24 ±4yrs) volunteered. Exclusion criteria included: current neck pain or trauma, previous surgery or serious pathology/trauma to the cervical spine. A cervical range of motion device (CROM device; Performance Attainment Associates, Minnesota, USA: Capuano-Pucci et al, 1991; Youdas et al,1991) was used to measure active cervical range of motion (ACROM) following a warm up procedure. From the neutral point full flexion and full extension were measured in no set order, (to reduce potential order effects). Ethical approval was granted by The Faculty of Health Science and Sport’s Ethics Committee, University of Glamorgan, written informed consent was obtained. Statistical Analysis The data was normally distributed (Shapiro-Wilkes), therefore, unpaired T-tests and Cohen’s d coefficient of effect size were used to compare Forwards and Backs: see Table 1, all data presented as mean ±1 standard deviation (SD). Results Of 35 volunteers, 29 were included. Exclusions: 4 pain on extension, 2 recent severe trauma (whiplash). The 15 Backs (age 24±5 yrs: 3.7±3.9 yrs playing elite) were compared to the 14 Forwards (age 24±4 yrs; 3.8±3 yrs playing elite); see Table 1. Discussion These findings confirm that playing in the forward position in elite rugby union is especially associated with a decrease in ACROM regardless of sex. Neck girth is unlikely to be responsible for the difference (Reynolds et al, 2009). This suggests that female elite rugby union players have a similar risk of accelerated degeneration of the vertebral joints as their male counterparts. Further research is needed to determine cause.