Change to tackle law height

The legal tackle height in community rugby will be lowered from below the shoulders to the base of the sternum from July 1 after a vote by the RFU Council on Friday.

The RFU announced in January that the new tackle height would be set at the waist but the lack of consultation with the grassroots game caused uproar. The RFU have since canvassed the views of 8,500 people and the RFU council approved the adjustment of the height to “the area of the tummy or belly”.

RFU president Nigel Gillingham said: “We along with many other Unions across the world are lowering the tackle height to reduce the risk of concussion… it is imperative that we are guided by the science to help make the game safer.”