Now you're just talking nonsense. The suit is part of the tradition and the American way of exaggerating everything. But in general, rugby players are tougher than those handegg boys. And you know it.
Our handegg players are just quite simply bigger, faster, stronger and prettier! The last point is the only reason they need full helmets!
Would you like to say this to this man?

Or hell, what about these blokes?

Or even the mighty Chabal?

Its a shame I couldn't find him stood next to anybody, because he's bigger than your 'weight trained athletes' even when they are in all their armour. Rugby players have to be weight trained from teenage years and practice being run into at full pelt from this age so their body adjusts to it. Its scary shit. Your American football players are really just playing at it I'm afraid.
If I was still in my playing shape I would!
Average non-linemen/non linebacker handegg player: 6'2' 210 lbs
Average linemen handegg player: 6'6" 300 lbs
Average linebacker handegg player: 6'3" 240 lbs
Average non-linemen/non linebacker handegg player 40 time+275 lb bench press rep: 4.50 15 reps
Average linemen handegg player 40 time+300 lb bench press rep: 5.0 28 reps
Average linebacker handegg player 40 time+300 lb bench press rep: 4.60 20 reps
Our handegg players are faster, stronger and probably richer than your rugby boyz
