SRU statement: Community game’s lower tackle height law trial

Clubs in Scotland from Tenant’s Premiership and below are set to embrace a new tackle height trial in the 2023/24 season. A statement read: “Following consultation with community rugby stakeholders, Scottish Rugby’s club rugby board have approved a lower tackle height law trial for implementation across the community game from the start of the 2023/24 season.

“The law trial will see tackle height reduced from shoulder height to below the sternum, also known as belly tackle height in both gender categories of adult and youth rugby at the domestic level. The move follows World Rugby-endorsed trials conducted in France and South Africa where lowering the tackle height has been shown to reduce the number of head-on-head contacts and concussions.

“Lowering the tackle height has also shown positive outcomes regarding increased ball-in-play time and offloading. The changes have also helped to increase player participation in France. The new law trials which have been approved by the CRB are:

• Maximum height tackle in initial contact must be below the sternum;
• The second tackler is still permitted, but the player must make initial contact below the sternum;
• There will be no change to the current laws regarding the ball carrier, but reckless play will be sanctioned (eg: leading with head) where the ball carrier put themselves or the defender at risk of head-on-head contact;
• There will be no change to the current laws regarding a pick-and-go scenario.

“Scottish Rugby’s development department were commissioned by the CRB to conduct a series of online consultation sessions in February with clubs, schools and referee societies. Of those who participated in the consultation, 80 per cent indicated they were in favour of the lower tackle height with only six per cent stating they were content with current laws.

“World Rugby’s executive board last month recommended that national unions participate in an opt-in global trial of lowering the tackle height in their respective community games to a below the sternum level.

“To support the implementation of the law trials, Scottish Rugby have created a Tackle Height Hub on its website to host a suite of video and written resources on the changes, which will be added to throughout the summer.

“In addition to this, the rugby development department will also deliver educational programmes for coaches, players and match officials both in the lead up to, and throughout the season, starting with a series of regional roadshows in May and June.”

Keith Wallace, the Scottish Rugby vice-president and CRB chairman, said: “Player welfare is of utmost importance to the representatives of the CRB, and as custodians for the community game, it is vital that we place safety and enjoyment at the heart of the decisions we make.

“We strongly believe reducing the tackle height from next season encompasses both of those matters and will create a more positive, and ultimately safer environment, in which our sport is played. It has been encouraging to see the level of engagement which those in our game met the consultation period with, and their receptiveness to the evidence from World Rugby’s endorsed trials.”

Mark Harrington, World Rugby’s chief player welfare and rugby services officer, added: “It is great to see Scottish Rugby joining unions across the world in opting in to the global law trial on lowering the tackle height in the community game.

“Scottish Rugby have provided the model for the rest of the world to follow when it comes to their open engagement and thoughtful consultation with everyone involved in the game in Scotland. We now look forward to the next stage on the journey together, towards a community game that is both as safe as it can be and more enjoyable than ever for everyone who plays the game in Scotland.”