World Rugby has unanimously backed a recommendation for unions to take part in trials of "belly tackles" in community rugby in a bid to reduce head injuries and concussions.
The governing body's council have approved lowering the permitted tackle height in the community game to below the base of the sternum: the area of the stomach, belly or below.
The opt-in trial, which World Rugby say unions can adapt within their own jurisdiction, will see its results reviewed in early 2025 following sufficient time to gather "quality" data. Unions partaking in the trial will be able to set a legal tackle height at the base of the sternum or below, as best suits their community game, and set secondary laws governing associated areas of the game like pick and go, double tacklers and ball carriers dipping into contact.
