Chairman Day questions timing of ‘massive’ changes to tackle laws

RUGBY Players’ Association chairman and Northampton second row Christian Day has criticised the mid-season changes to laws regarding high tackles.

The new laws, which mean players making contact with the head in “reckless tackles” receive at least a yellow card, came into effect on January 3.

The rules also mean penalties are given, even when contact is accidental.

Day said: “These laws are coming in for our own welfare, our own safety, and as a player you’ve got to look at that with an open point of view and think someone’s doing this to try to make the game as safe as possible.

“But to make such massive changes mid-season – with very little explanation, education and everything that should come with it – isn’t a good idea.

“You’ve seen the issues we’ve had – players being sent off, games being changed as a result of clumsiness.”

In a statement Phil Winstanley, rugby director at Premiership Rugby, praised the changes as a “step forward” for the sport, while World Rugby have said the rules “ensure the head is a nogo area” for players.

Premiership Rugby also said the changes will be supported by a “global education programme”.

Day, 33, added: “I don’t think you’re going to see players ducking into a tackle, looking to get a high tackle, I don’t think that’s possible to be honest.

“But certainly you’re introducing this ideology to the players, that if you get hit towards the head you might just stay down an extra five seconds and make sure the ref has a think about that.”