Lowered tackle height trial debuts at the World Rugby U20 Trophy

Evidence-based innovation in injury prevention is at the heart of a lowered tackle height trial at the World Rugby U20 Trophy, which kicks off in Romania today.

At the Trophy, Law 9.13 will be amended to adjust the height of an illegal tackle from above the line of the shoulders to above the line of the nipple. 

The trial will assess the potential impact and logistical implications of introducing a lower tackle height in elite adult rugby, the final goal being to positively impact on the incidence of concussion and other injuries. 

The trial is the third step in a three-phase evidence-based approach to furthering head injury prevention in the area where head injuries are statistically most common – the tackle – and follows the recent trial of the High Tackle Warning system in the World Rugby U20 Championship. This third phase will also be trialled in the 2018-19 RFU Championship Cup, where an illegal tackle will be deemed to be above the armpit line.

In preparation for the Trophy, all coaches, players and match officials have undertaken education and are fully supportive of the research-based trial.