World Rugby pushes for 'belly tackles' trial in attempt to reduce concussions

13 March 2023 , 14:53

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World Rugby is pushing for countries to lower the legal tackle height to 'belly tackles' in the community game (Image: Getty Images)

World Rugby is pushing for countries to trail 'belly tackles' in the amateur game in an attempt to reduce concussions.

Rugby's world governing body has also not ruled out trailing the lowered tackle height in the professional game, according to the Associated Press. It comes after the Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced plans to lower the legal tackle height in the community game to the waistline from July 1, 2023.

Subject to World Rugby Council approval, the governing body is recommending that national unions consult over lowering the tackle height at amateur level. The body are recommending that the tackle height be set below the sternum known as a 'belly tackle'.

“The clear mounting evidence is that doing nothing is simply not an option,” World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said in a statement. “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.”

The RFU said their change in tackle height "aims to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in the tackle for both the ball carrier and tackler", with their council unanimously voting through the proposal.

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England's Ben Youngs is tackled by Wales’ Ken Owens during the Guinness Six Nations in 2020 (PA)

The RFU states that studies have shown "higher contact on the ball carrier and closer proximity of the ball carrier and tacklers' heads are associated with larger head impacts ... and an increased risk of concussion."

The governing body were inundated with calls to reverse their decision following the RFU announcement in January. England star Joe Marler is also against the change and a petition has gained over 79,000 signatures.

Former Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan said: "Logic would suggest that with a lower tackle height concussions will increase."

Harlequins and England star Joe Marler is against the lowering in tackle height (Getty Images)

However, RFU president Nigel Gillingham countered this claim stating that the governing body had carried out their own research.

He said: "Players' welfare must always be at the centre of decisions we make about how we play the game of rugby. Evidence from our own research and from around the world clearly shows that lowering the tackle height will reduce head impact exposure and the risk of concussion.

"The tackle will remain the primary method of stopping the ball carrier using safe techniques that are taught from an early age. While this change will apply to matches in the community game in England, the RFU will continue its work to reduce head impacts in contact training in both the community and elite games and be supportive of any law changes that World Rugby proposes for matches at the elite level that will further reduce head impact exposure."

The World Rugby Council will consider the proposal for approval in May and the trials will be opt-in.

Benjamin Goddard