World Rugby has proposed a trial to introduce “belly tackles” in the community game as a means of reducing concussions.
A belly tackle is a type of tackle made below the sternum, or mid-chest. The trial will be opt-in and subject to approval by the World Rugby Council.
World Rugby is encouraging member nations to participate in the trial, as evidence shows that taking no action to address head-on-head contact is not an acceptable solution.
Alan Gilpin, World Rugby’s chief executive, emphasized that the trial presents an opportunity to both promote the growth of the sport at the community level and reduce player risk.
He said: “The clear mounting evidence is that doing nothing is simply not an option,” World Rugby’s chief executive Alan Gilpin said.
“Specifically in the community game, head-on-head contact is something we need to reduce.
“We have to view these proposals as an opportunity to grow the sport at community level in tandem with reducing player risk.”
“Forget tackle height” – Nigel Owens calls for FIVE law changes ahead of 2023 Six Nations
Owens, who hung up his whistle two years ago, has come up with five possible changes to encourage expansive rugby.
#1. Scrap the goal-line dropout
Owens wrote: “As for goal-line dropouts, I was a big fan initially because I felt it would prevent attacking teams from numerous pick-and-gos near the try line, with teams instead attempting to move the ball wide to avoid being held up and losing possession.
” But I’m not sure it has worked as planned. We still see plenty of pick-and-gos until teams get over, we still see plenty of mauls and the number of collisions hasn’t decreased.
“We are also seeing fewer scrums near the goal line, and to be honest I’m not sure that is a good thing. The scrum needs to be an important part of the game, and right now we are not seeing the benefits of it. Rugby must continue to be a game for all shapes and sizes, and at all levels, too.
Attacking teams are also kicking longer knowing that if the ball rolls dead, the defending team has to do a goal-line dropout and they can get the ball back.
“We’ve also lost the short dropouts we used to see from the 22-metre line where teams would compete to win the ball back, or a quick dropout would be taken, because teams now backed up on their goal line just kick the ball long to escape and what happens? The opposition kick it back.
“From initially believing it would work, I would now like the goal-line dropout law to go to be honest. If anything it is having a negative effect.”