Despite the current opposition to the Rugby Football Union’s waist-high legislation modification among amateurs. Professional tackle height is expected to be decreased, which will startle the sport.
The RFU is now facing opposition to its decision to restrict above-the-waist tackles for amateurs in the upcoming season. But World Rugby has reaffirmed that change is imminent at all levels.
Other home nations are expected to follow the RFU’s lead in decreasing the tackle height at the grassroots level. While a trial to put the legal height at the sternum will commence in New Zealand in the coming year.
In an interview with the Telegraph, World Rugby’s chief executive Alan Gilpin indicated that the tackle height at the elite level will not be dropped to the waist, but rather to below the shoulders.
World Rugby will undertake an amateur global trial at the beginning of next year. Gilpin told the Telegraph, “We intend to impose a lower tackle height in all aspects of the game.” The actual implementation varies slightly between the community game and the elite game.
The radical change at the amateur level in England was announced on the same day that it was revealed that more than 55 amateur players had joined the class-action lawsuit against rugby’s governing bodies — World Rugby, the RFU, and the Welsh Rugby Union — alleging that they were not protected from permanent brain injuries. The action is distinct from the case involving 225 former professional union players, which was already in progress.
Rugby union divided with elite game tackle height decreased.
The outrage, which was raised in the House of Commons on Thursday, is likely to culminate in a vote of no confidence against the RFU board and its chief executive, Bill Sweeney. Professional and amateur players and coaches alike have criticized the decision, the lack of published research behind it, and its communication. The topic was scheduled to be reviewed at a Thursday evening emergency council meeting.
Nearly 300 clubs support a special general meeting, enabling a vote of no confidence. Those clubs are backed by the newly created Community Clubs Union. Which on Thursday night ensured the precise phrasing of their call for an SGM to prevent the RFU’s legal department from blocking it.
Lewis Ludlam, the flanker for England and Northampton, commented on the changes to the amateur game. Stating, “I can only speak from personal experience on this matter. My view is that my concussions occur when I am too depleted.
However, there are certainly many people who have given this a great deal of consideration. And I believe more information is forthcoming; I do not believe we have the complete story. Therefore, I suppose we’re all waiting to see what has been considered and what the actual laws will be before forming an opinion.
