I have played both rugby and football. I can tell you that without a doubt, football hurts a hell of a lot more when you get hit. The pads are not that thick and gives a false sense of invincibility. When a giant man that runs like an olympic sprinter hits you full speed, it's gonna hurt whether you have pads or not. Difference is, with no pads the guy might pull up a little, with pads it is full speed.