Six Nations tackle 'concrete proof' lower hits are not actually safer
Rugby NewsMonday, 06 February 2023 at 07:09
A huge tackle from the weekend's Six Nations is being used as ammunition by those rebelling against the Rugby Football Union's controversial plan to lower the tackle height.
The RFU could face a no-confidence vote from grassroots clubs amid growing opposition to plans for a radical tackle-height change.
It was announced a fortnight ago that tackling above the waist will be banned in community rugby in a move unanimously approved by Rugby Football Union Council members.
The legislation was brought in by the RFU in an attempt to support player welfare, notably reducing head impact exposure and will apply across the community game - clubs, schools, colleges and universities at both age-grade and adult levels - covering National One division and below in the men's game and Championship One and below in the women's game.
In the clip from the Calcutta Cup, Scotland centre Sione Tuipulotu went low but took a nasty head knock from the hip of England fullback Freddie Steward.
COMPETITION
Former England, Bath and Gloucester winger Matt Banahan wrote: "Tackle bellow the waist they say ….. it will be safe for head and necks."
Another fan wrote: "Looks good for the old head/neck area. Much safer."
A second commented: "The new tackle laws will prevent head collisions then - NOT !!"
Another said: "Dangerous below the waist contact @RFU experts (ie clueless barristers) don’t want people to see."
Sione Tuipulotu tackle:
EDITORS PICKS:
- 5 players Steve Borthwick should call-up after Scotland loss
- Six Nations Championship 2023 Prize Money Confirmed
- Eben Etzebeth gets married to stunning singer
- Sir Clive Woodward reveals the three reasons England lost to Scotland
- Owen Farrell late tackle on Finn Russell was ‘lucky’ to go unpunished
LIST: 5 brilliant pieces of sh**housery in the Six Nations this weekend
Here, RUCK takes a look at five brilliant examples of sh**housery from the opening weekend of the 2023 Six Nations.
RUCK’s 2023 Six Nations content powered by ISUZU.
#1. Russell against England
Finn Russell made sure Owen Farrell knew he’d got the better of the England captain in the build up to Duhan van der Merwe’s first try.
A camera at the end of the field captures Russell, who can be seen in the background, quickly heading towards Farrell.
Meanwhile, Van der Merwe dances through the English defense to score an early contender for try of the year..
The soon to be Bath number 10 comes from behind and bumps into Farrell, causing him to stumble, and can be seen yelling at him.
Full off the ball incident:
#2. Sexton faking injury
The yellow card given to Liam Williams for making contact with the head of Ireland's playmaker Johnny Sexton has sparked controversy on the internet.
Williams, who had been accused of diving himself moments earlier, was given a yellow card only due the passive nature of the tackle.
Instead, Sexton was the player under fire as the veteran number 10 milked the tackle.
Reacting to the incident, one fan wrote: "Sexton play acted a head injury. Blatant cheating."
A second wrote: "That Liam Williams yellow card shows why rugby will be dead in a few years - nothing wrong with Liams body shape and Sexton play acting sums up how rugby has drastically changed for the worse. It's a mockery to the real injuries."
Another commented: "Sexton winks after getting another fellow professional a card by his simulation of injury and as always gets up to take the resulting penalty. This will destroy the spectacle that is International rugby."
A fourth said: "Another football injury/tactic from Johnny Sexton. He does it too many times."
Another wrote: "This is some pretty poor rugby from Wales. But Sexton selling the head injury is low."
Williams tackle on Sexton:
#3. Liam Williams dive
The Wales fullback hit the deck pretty dramatically after the littlest of contact from Ireland lock Iain Henderson.
One fan wrote: "Liam Williams going for a career change in acting."
Another said: "Liam Williams.... I've seen better acting on stage!"
A third wrote: "Liam Williams been hanging out with footballers?"
"For a hard man ex-scaffolder - Liam Williams folded himself up like a deckchair at the slightest of touches. What a dirty diving cheat!!!" commented a fourth.
Another said: "Can somebody tell Liam Williams it’s not soccer he’s playing. Gobshite"
Liam Williams dive:
#4. Farrell smiling at Russell
England captain Owen Farrell was seemingly lucky to avoid punishment for what appeared a high late tackle on Scotland star Finn Russell.
The centre, who didn't have his best game, was constantly trying to man mark the Scottish playmaker throughout the game
However, that meant there was only more room for Duhan van der Merwe's to score a famous double which handed Scotland back-to-back wins at Twickenham for the first time
Owen Farrell late tackle
One fan wrote: "Huge hit by Farrell. Probably a bit high mind."
Another commented: "Farrell plays right on the edge. That looked naughty."
A third said: "Under the new RFU rules that would be a straight red."
#5. Andy Farrell's controversial gift
Owen Farrell expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview with The Times over Andy Farrell purchasing Ireland jerseys for his kids ahead of the 2023 Six Nations.
England coach Steve Borthwick retained the Saracens fly-half, who missed the entire 2022 Six Nations, as captain after naming his first squad.
That means Farrell will once again come toe-to-toe with his Dad Andy, who is the head coach of Ireland.
Farrell said: "My eldest has an Ireland shirt. I asked him why he has got one. He said, ‘It’s grandad’s team’ and I said, ‘You can wear a suit like grandad does, then, not the kit.’ They’re into anything sporty and my dad got them a Manchester City top which I’m not happy about as well.
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
Loading
