Clubs set to rebel against new tackle rule in warning to RFL about following suit

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have announced that from the 1st of July this year a huge change on tackling will be implemented across all amateur level from both age grade and adult rugby.

The proposed changes that will take effect from the midway mark of the year will lower the legal height of tackling with the RFU Council agreeing to the law change on Monday 16th January.

In effect the law change will now prohibit any tackles that are made above waist height in an attempt to improve player safety.

The statement that announced the proposed change was posted on the RFU website.

“Designed to improve player safety and informed by data, this change aims to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in the tackle for both the ball carrier and tackler. Evidence from studies has consistently demonstrated that higher contact on the ball carrier and closer proximity of the ball carrier and tacklers’ heads are associated with larger head impacts (as measured by smart mouthguards) and an increased risk of concussion.

“Lowering the height of the tackle and encouraging the tackler to bend more at the waist will minimise the risk of this occurring while maintaining the tackle as an integral part of the game.

“The RFU Council’s unanimous vote will result in law variations from next season, 2023/24, with the tackle height being set at waist height or below.

“Ball carriers will also be encouraged to follow the principle of evasion, which is a mainstay of the game, to avoid late dipping and thereby avoid creating a situation where a bent tackler may be put at increased risk of head-on-head contact with the ball carrier through a late or sudden change in body height of the ball carrier.”

The potential for this to impact rugby league is unknown but with IMG set to take over the game it’s an uncertain time for the sport in general.

On whether the RFL could follow suit Simon Johnson, the Rugby Football League chairman, told The Mail on Sunday that the domestic governing body were “constantly looking at the rulebook and collaborate very closely with rugby union and other collision sports on the issue of concussion and player safety.”

Now though the RFL have been given some food for thought with 208 clubs calling a for a general meeting in what could see the RFU board face a vote of no confidence according to the Times.

It seems rugby won’t change it’s nature without a fight.