English RFU draws ire of angry ex-players with new waist-high tackle tackling law

Some former players have reacted angrily at the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) new decree that all age group and amateur rugby players will be required to tackle at waist height or lower as of 1 June 2023.

The new law is the RFU's reaction to a letter by more than 55 amateurs sent to them and World Rugby alleging that not enough was done to protect them from brain injuries. A potential damages lawsuit brought by the affected former players is also said to be in the process.

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On Thursday, the RFU released a statement saying that their council had approved the lowering of the tackle height across community rugby in England.

"To support player welfare, the RFU Council agreed on Monday 16th January to lower the height of the tackle across the community game from July 1 2023," the RFU statement said.

"Designed to improve player safety and informed by data, this change aims to reduce head impact exposure and concussion risk in the tackle for both the ball carrier and tackler. Evidence from studies has consistently demonstrated that higher contact on the ball carrier and closer proximity of the ball carrier and tacklers’ heads are associated with larger head impacts (as measured by smart mouthguards) and an increased risk of concussion.  

"Lowering the height of the tackle and encouraging the tackler to bend more at the waist will minimise the risk of this occurring while maintaining the tackle as an integral part of the game."

Wallabies legend and World Cup winner David Campese welcomed the decision, calling for its implementation at all levels of rugby. 

"Great news. It should be the same at all levels," Campese wrote on his verified Twitter