RFU tackles clampdown
Lower hits only at amateur level as game fights concussion crisis
EngliSh rugby yesterday took an unprecedented step to try to reduce concussion risk at grassroots level by lowering the height at which players can legally tackle.
The drastic change, which will be introduced from July 1 across the community game but not for professionals, means a player must tackle at the waist or below.
Passed unanimously by RFU’s board, the decision is designed to improve player welfare and minimise head- on- head contact between players, which can lead to concussion.
Tackles to the chest will be made illegal at the levels of national One and below in the men’s game and Championship One and below in women’s rugby. nigel gillingham, the RFU president, said: ‘Player welfare must always be at the centre of decisions we make about how we play the game of rugby.
‘evidence from our own research and from around the world clearly shows that lowering tackle height will reduce head impact exposure and the risk of concussion.
‘The RFU Council is able to influence how the game is played at the community level in this country and, therefore, has unanimously supported the decision to lower the tackle height to waist level.’
World Rugby — the game’s governing body — have undertaken significant research on how to improve player safety across a number of nations in both hemispheres. Sportsmail understands there is a significant possibility that lowering the tackle height could be brought into both professional english club rugby and the international arena in the future. Much will depend on how the new law is received further down rugby’s pyramid.
But england’s decision — which has been based on trials in France — could have benefits beyond player welfare. lowering the tackle height should allow players to offload more easily in contact and improve attacking play.
World Rugby chief executive Alan gilpin said: ‘last year, World Rugby opened discussions with unions about lowering the tackle height in the community game around the globe.
‘Unions were presented with findings from trials that have taken place in France and South Africa as well as initial data from rugby- specific studies using smart mouthguards.
‘Discussions have progressed well and formal proposals to be applied around the world are expected to be presented to our executive board in March.
‘We welcome the RFU taking these proactive steps. Rugby will never stand still when it comes to player welfare.’
France have trialled banning the double tackle at grassroots level while there have also been experiments with lowering the contact limit height in new Zealand.
Unions across the world are willing to take action to reduce head impacts in the wake of the escalation of rugby’s concussion crisis.
Hundreds of former players, mainly at professional level, have been diagnosed with early onset dementia and other illnesses as a result of playing the game.
gillingham added: ‘While this change will apply to matches in the community game in england, the RFU will continue our work to reduce head impacts in contact training in both the community and elite games and be supportive of any law changes World Rugby propose for matches at the elite level that will further reduce head impact exposure.’