STEVE Diamond fears it could be a generation before a safe tackling technique comes naturally to players as red card fever again hits the Premiership.
There have been 17 red cards in the top flight this season – seven in the last five weeks – while England's Charlie Ewels was sent off against Ireland last weekend for a dangerous tackle on James Ryan.
Worcester and London Irish have both had three players sent off in league matches, although Adam Coleman's second of the campaign for the Exiles, against Saracens last month, was rescinded by a citing committee.
“What makes it easier for coaches is that there is now a sanction pathway which referees generally, although not always, follow correctly,” said Diamond, below, Worcester's lead rugby consultant.
“The most difficult thing in the last three or four seasons is that you can tackle chest-to-chest one year, but the next one you are off if there is a clash of heads.
“Most lads have been playing rugby since they were six or seven and it is difficult to change technique overnight.
It could be a generation before it goes out of the game.”
Irish's assistant forwards coach Ross McMillan said everything was being done in training to ensure that players got rid of bad tackling habits with Curtis Rona's first-half red card at Leicester last week costing the play-off chasing club.
“We have seen a few incidents recently where the lines of sight changed and red cards seem to be increasing in the second half of the season as pitches deteriorate and it becomes easier to lose your footing.
“There can be no excuses because player welfare is important, but we also have to keep hold of what our game is about. It is collision-based and involves impacts. If we lose that intensity, we lose an intrinsic part of the game.
“The players are aware of where the authorities stand on this and there is no hiding place. Our job is to ensure that they have the right technique.”
Bristol lock Dave Attwood, a qualified lawyer, has defended team-mate Ratu Naulago twice this year after the wing received two reds in three weeks.
“It can be difficult for guys in the wide channels,” said Attwood. “I was next to Ratu when he made the tackle that led to his second red card at Bath and, as I can understand the movement and intentions of a player, I can articulate them to the panel who may not understand the mechanisms and pressures of coaching techniques.
“It was a justified red card, but if you tackle low, players can offload the ball, which out wide can lead to a try. Tackle higher and you can get huge benefits, preventing the pass and slowing down the ball. If you go too high, you hit someone in the face. It is all about margins and it is very difficult when runners are moving very quickly.”
