Despite resistance to proposed changes, the legal tackle height for elite rugby worldwide is set to be lowered by World Rugby across all levels of the game.
Alan Gilpin, CEO of World Rugby, announced plans to align with the Rugby Football Union’s revised rules.
Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph, he stated that the legal tackle height for international and professional club games, currently at shoulder level, would likely not be lowered as far as the waist.
Gilpin supported the RFU’s decision to ban tackling above the waist in the community game in England and noted that other countries may follow suit.
World Rugby also plans to conduct a global law trial starting January 1, initially at the amateur level, with a decision pending on whether it will prohibit tackles above the waist or the sternum
Gilpin told the paper: “Yes, we’re looking to make sure that we are implementing a lower tackle height across all parts of the game. How that’s actually implemented is slightly different in the community game to the elite game.
“You’re in a slightly different environment, for a number of reasons, in the elite part of the game, particularly at an international level, because the level of – for example – medical provision, diagnostic ability etc, is very different.
“We obviously have TMO [Television Match Officials], HIA [Head Injury Assessment], the ability for immediate pitch-side care in all of elite-level rugby that you don’t have in the community game. We’ve got to recognise that they’re not the same sport.”
Statement: Four laws changes confirmed for the 2023 Six Nations
The 2023 Six Nations is fast approaching, so here’s a rundown of the little changes that are coming to the tournament this year.
Penalising negative player actions
Referees are expected to take action against negative player actions such as trapping players in the ruck, and players not attempting to play the ball in jackall situations.
A statement says: “Players are reminded about their responsibilities not to hold the ball or walk off with the ball at penalties – this reduces attacking options by the non-offending team and slows the game down unnecessarily and will be sanctioned.”
