Rugby's high tackle inconsistency around the world risks summer of mayhem

We need to talk about high tackles and cards, not that we ever veer off the topic for too long.

Monday brought a welcome announcement from World Rugby that players’ stand-down periods following a concussive incident will be based on their individual medical history, with 12-day lay-offs necessary for those who have suffered brain injuries in the past.

Next month will also witness a number of cross-hemisphere Test matches and France also face Japan. These summer showdowns always represent fascinating culture clashes. Now, thanks to some curious decisions over high tackles recently, there is an added layer of uncertainty.

By and large, Premiership referees have earned a reputation for consistency and we have come to expect severe sanctions for high tackles and shoulder charges. For that reason, a lack of red cards – and the sum total of zero citings – across two physical semi-finals jarred.

In some cases, it felt as though officials were eager to avoid a sending off on such a big occasion. Jack Walker and Alex Lozowski seemed particularly fortunate to escape with yellow cards in Saracens’ win over Harlequins. The latter surged out of the defensive line in the second half and earned himself a head injury assessment after a head-on-head collision with Joe Marchant.

Undeniably, there was a lack of control. Lozowski remained upright and could not readjust when Marchant stepped back inside off his left foot. World Rugby want to eradicate these challenges to protect the safety of both carrier and tackler:

In this case, Luke Pearce initially ruled that a penalty was sufficient because the blow was a glancing one and therefore not dangerous enough for a card. Ian Tempest, the television match official (TMO), talked him up to a