Tackle height trial approval could change the game as we know it

Injury prevention was at the heart of a package of law amendment and trial recommendations made by World Rugby’s Law Review Group (LRG) over two days in London.

The recommendations made by this multi-disciplinary expert group carefully considered all available evidence in the evaluation of each proposal, including the six that were discussed at the recent player welfare and laws symposium in Marcoussis, France. 

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said: "World Rugby is committed to evidence-based injury prevention and while injury incidence in rugby is not on the rise and there has been a 15 per cent reduction in concussions in elite competitions, now is not the time to become complacent. 

“This week, the LRG has continued to focus on further reducing the risk of injury at all levels. At the centre of this approach is the tackle, which is responsible for 50 per cent of all match injuries and 76 per cent of all concussions (72 per cent occurring to the tackler). 

“This is in part driven by an increase of ball in play time by 50 per cent since the 1987 Rugby World Cup to approximately 40 minutes today. This has given rise to a 252 per cent increase in tackles over the same period, which is why we are so focused on this area."

Having assessed and discussed all the available data, the six Marcoussis proposals were each considered by the LRG and recommendations were made to the Rugby Committee, which will meet in July:

50:22 KICK

If the team in possession kicks the ball from inside their own half indirectly into touch inside their opponents’ 22 or from inside their own 22 into their opponents’ half, they will throw in to the resultant lineout. Rationale: To create space by forcing players to drop back out of the defensive line in order to prevent their opponents from kicking for touch. Recommendation: To approve for closed trials.

REDUCTION OF PERMITTED SUBSTITUTIONS

Reduction in the number of permitted substitutions. Rationale: To encourage more space and opportunities towards the end of the game as on-field players tire. Recommendation: For World Rugby to sponsor more research to determine if there is a player welfare benefit.

OFF FEET AT THE RUCK 

Players must move away from the ball without delay. Rationale: To ensure more space and time is afforded to the attacking side. Recommendation: Specialist working group should be formed to assess all issues regarding the ruck/breakdown.

DELAYING DEFENSIVE LINE MOVEMENT

Delaying the movement of the defensive line at the ruck until the ball has reached the first attacking player or until the receiver opts not to pass. Rationale: To give the team in possession more time and space on the ball. Recommendation: Not to approve for trial.

REDUCING TACKLE HEIGHT

Reducing the tackle height to the waist. Rationale: Forcing players to tackle lower may reduce the risk of head injuries to both the tackler and tackled player. Recommendation: To approve for closed trials.

YELLOW CARD SIN BIN REVIEW

Ability to review a yellow card when a player is in the sin bin for dangerous foul play. Rationale: To ensure players who are guilty of serious foul play do not escape with a yellow card when they deserved red. Recommendation: To approve for closed trials.

Beyond the Marcoussis outcomes, a number of other proposals were considered by the LRG and recommendations made accordingly:

1. The introduction of an infringement (penalty and free-kick) limit for teams. Once a team has reached the limit, a mandatory yellow card is given to the last offending player as a team sanction. Rationale: To encourage teams to offend less. Recommendation: To approve for closed trials at NRC in Australia.

2. The awarding of a goal line drop-out to the defending team when an attacking player, who brings the ball into in-goal, is held up. Rationale: To reward good defence and promote a faster rate of play. Recommendation: To approve for closed trials at NRC in Australia.

3. One additional replacement per team be allowed during extra-time in a sevens match. Rationale: To manage player fatigue and workload. Recommendation: To approve for closed trial at the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series.

4. The high tackle technique warning has been successfully trialled at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship for the last two years. Rationale: Head injury prevention strategy. Recommendation: To approve further closed trials.

5. A number of potential changes to tackle law were discussed by the group, with a particular reference to the community level in France. Rationale: To reduce injury rates in the domestic game. Recommendation: Approve for closed trials in designated FFR competitions.

Following a detailed discussion on the risks associated to front row players’ necks during the scrum engagement process, the LRG also supported a proposed amendment to Law 19 (Scrum) that, if approved, will outlaw the practice of front rows placing their heads onto opposition players’ shoulders between the call of ‘bind’ and ‘set’. 

It has been shown that this practice has resulted in potentially dangerous levels of axial loading on front rows’ cervical spines. Given this issue has significant potential welfare implications, it will be actioned immediately.

The LRG also considered feedback from the implementation of the high tackle sanction framework in the recent World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Argentina. Following input form operational staff, it was agreed to simplify the framework by removing reference to direct or indirect contact and streamlining the questions once a shoulder charge or high tackle had occurred.

Four proposals of law amendments in RugbyX were also recommended by the LRG, including:

1. That restarts should take place on the five-metre line (as opposed to the goal line).

2. That the requirement for kicks to be grubbers be removed.

3. That the seven-point ‘max zone’ be removed (so all tries carry the same value).

4. That one-on-one skill tests be introduced to settle drawn matches (replacing extra-time).

LRG chairman John Jeffrey said: "This meeting is another important step on the road to further law improvement within the next four-year Rugby World Cup cycle. There is no doubt that the sport is committed in its collaborative effort to reduce injuries, particularly head injuries, and the outcomes from this productive meeting certainly underscored that approach.

"The level of expertise and engagement in the meeting was impressive. The members of the LRG clearly want what is best for the game and are determined to make the sport as safe, simple and enjoyable to play as it can be at all levels. I look forward to considering the LRG recommendations with my colleagues from the rugby committee next month."

The LRG, which is made up of law experts, players, coaches, match officials and elite competition representatives, considers the applications, edits or clarifications of existing law and the introduction of new laws deemed appropriate for closed or global trials. The process could culminate in law amendments within the next Rugby World Cup cycle.

WATCH: Knocked, episode one on the RugbyPass series Beyond 80 which focuses on the issue of concussion