RFU statement: Apology issued to community game over tackle law

The RFU have issued an apology for the anger and concern it has created amongst the rugby community in England following last week’s surprise revelation that the tackle height would be reduced to waist high. That January 19 announcement ignited a huge debate across the sport regarding the plan that will radically change rugby at all levels below the Gallagher Premiership and the Championship. 

Amid calls for council members who voted in the measure to resign due to the lack of information that backed up their decision to lower the tackle height, the RFU have now followed up on a promise made on Thursday to produce the evidence. This they have now done on Friday afternoon, including two explanatory attachments with their apology.

A consultation process will now begin next week with the RFU stating that it wants to "develop the details of its domestic law variation", a climbdown from last week's position that rubberstamped without public consultation the introduction of waist-high tackle limit from the summer of 2023 onwards.   

The statement read: “The RFU board, council and executive staff apologise for the anger and concern that has been created among the rugby community by announcing the decision to lower the tackle height from next season.

“In our desire to act quickly to reduce head impacts and concussions in the community game, which represents 99 per cent of the rugby-playing population in England, we have upset many of you who are the champions, volunteers, and ambassadors of our game. We fully acknowledge we got the engagement wrong, and we are truly sorry.

“In making our decision we were aware that France have lowered the tackle height, New Zealand will be doing so and World Rugby supports this approach. We, like the French, used the term ‘waist and below’ - this has caused misunderstanding and confusion. We would now like the game to help us define how we describe a lower tackle height to reflect what the research is telling us in a way that is understood by all.

"Consequently, the risk of head injuries should be reduced if tackling below that optimum height. We will now begin a series of forums and workshops with players, coaches, match officials and volunteers, to explain and develop the details of the domestic law variation.  

“A large body of scientific evidence demonstrates the risk of head injury and concussion for players can be reduced by lowering the tackle height to prevent head-on-head contact. However, we also accept that the rugby community has other concerns that this change may bring and we need to listen, understand and respond to those concerns. 

“We will start inviting players, coaches, match officials and volunteers to these forums from early next week so that we can all work together.”

• Click here for the rationale and evidence paper;
• Click here for the tackle height science presentation.