Rugby to trial lower tackle height at elite level amid concussion concerns

The world governing body said on Monday that rugby is still “a long, long way off” from introducing a law change to allow lower tackle heights at elite level, despite “positive results” from trials in the amateur game.

World Rugby said trials over the past two seasons involving 11 unions around the world, which set the legal tackle height at sternum or breastbone level, had led to a change in player behavior at amateur level, with the number of vertical tackles falling by 8-10%. Some unions have also reported a decline in concussions.

He will now be tested at the Under-20 World Cup in Georgia before being assessed ahead of further testing at elite level.

“It's important to highlight that we are a long, long way from changing the law at elite level at this point,” said Mark Harrington, World Rugby's chief player welfare and services officer. “However, if this and subsequent trials show positive results across all aspects of player welfare, player feedback and fan enjoyment, then we as a sport need to embrace it.”

The current allowed tackle height at the elite level is shoulder height. Starting in July, the amateur games plan to change the height of the sternum.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to make the game as safe as possible,” World Rugby chairman Brett Robinson said. “That said, championing what rugby does, rugby union is a vital part of my role.”

Concussions have become a serious problem over the past decade.

More than 1000 former players are involved in legal action against rugby governing bodies over claims they suffered traumatic brain injuries during their career. According to London law firm Rylands Garth, the former players claim governing bodies “failed to take reasonable steps to protect them from the effects of concussion and sub-concussive impacts during their playing careers, despite knowing the risks.”

World Rugby, which will take action along with the English Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union, said it was awaiting full information about the claims and was building “a strong foundation of world-leading initiatives to make rugby union as safe as possible.”

This includes consideration of permitted tackle heights and implementation of smart mouthguard technology.

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AP Rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby