OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between composite FMS score and the risk of time-loss injury in experienced male rugby union athletes, and in addition, to determine the relationship between FMS-determined bilateral movement asymmetries and the risk of time-loss injury in these athletes. DESIGN: Analytical cohort study. SETTING: Rugby union on-field training and competition, and athletic therapy rooms at the University of Victoria or at Rugby Canada’s Center of Excellence, Victoria BC. PARTICIPANTS: 76 experienced, male rugby union athletes (mean age 21.6±2.7 years). MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed surveys pertaining to demographic, anthropometric, injury history, and involvement in rugby union information. The main outcome measures were time-loss injury incidence and FMS scores. RESULTS: Odds ratio analyses revealed that when compared to those scoring at least 14.5, players with FMS scores below 14.5 were 10.42 times (95%CI: 1.28-84.75, Fisher’s exact test, one-tailed, p=0.007) more likely to have sustained time-loss injury (+LR=7.08, -LR=0.72, specificity=0.95, sensitivity=0.35) in Season One and 4.97 times (95%CI: 1.02-24.19, Fisher’s exact test, one-tailed, p=0.029) more likely in Season Two (+LR=3.56, -LR=0.71 specificity=0.90, sensitivity=0.36). Participants scoring below 15.5 on the FMS were also at significantly greater risk of injury, exhibiting a risk of injury 3.37 times (95%CI: 1.12-10.14, Fisher’s exact test, one-tailed, p=0.027) greater than players with higher FMS scores in Season Two (+LR=1.84, -LR=0.55, specificity=0.65, sensitivity=0.64), but not in Season One. The presence of bilateral asymmetries was not associated with increased likelihood of time-loss injury. CONCLUSIONS: Experienced male rugby union athletes with preseason FMS scores below 14.5 are 5-10 times more likely to sustain one or more time-loss injuries in a competitive season when compared to athletes with FMS scores of at least 14.5. The quality of fundamental movement, as assessed by the FMS, is predictive of time-loss injury risk in experienced rugby union athletes and should be considered an important preseason player assessment tool. / Graduate