World Rugby trials lower tackle height in amateur rugby; elite-level change remains unlikely, officials say
Amateur-level trials show reduced upright tackles and potential safety benefits; the governing body says any change at the elite level is far off and will be tested at next year’s under-20 championship in Georgia
World Rugby said on Monday it remains a long way from changing the tackle height at the elite level, despite positive results from two seasons of trials in the amateur game that set the tackle height at the sternum. The trials involved 11 unions worldwide and were associated with a drop in upright tackles, roughly 8-10%, with some unions also reporting fewer concussions.
The organization said the amateur trials will be evaluated at next year’s World Under-20 Championship in Georgia, with a decision on any further testing at the elite level to follow. It stressed there is no imminent shift in the law for the top competition, even as it continues to explore safety-focused changes.
"It is important to stress that we’re a long, long way from changing the law at the elite level at this point," World Rugby’s chief player welfare and rugby services officer, Mark Harrington, said. "However, if this and subsequent trials show positive results across all player welfare, player feedback and fan enjoyment perspectives, then as a sport we need to embrace that."
The current legal tackle height at elite level remains aligned with the shoulder. In the amateur game, it will shift to sternum height from July as part of broader safety reviews.
World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson said the governing body will "leave no stone unturned in our efforts to make the game as safe as it can be" while continuing to protect what makes rugby rugby as part of his responsibilities.
Concussions have emerged as a major concern over the past decade. More than 1,000 former players are involved in legal action against rugby bodies, alleging that governing organizations failed to protect them from brain injuries during their careers, according to London-based Rylands Garth. World Rugby, which faces action alongside England’s Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, has said it expects full details of the claims and is building a broad program of safety initiatives, including examining the legal tackle height and the introduction of smart mouthguard technology.