Tackle Behaviour
Tackle Behaviour
A major new study from researchers at University of Limerick has shown a sharp decline in concussion and injury rates amongst rugby players since the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) lowered the legal tackle height across the amateur game.
The Tackle Behaviours Trial 2023 - 2026
The trial was delivered in collaboration with the provinces, clubs, and schools, and supported by academic research across three focus areas:
- Injury Surveillance – Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRIS) Project, University of Limerick (Prof. Ian Kenny and Prof. Tom Comyns)
- Video Analysis – World Rugby Global Tackle Height Trial, Trinity College Dublin (Dr. Anthony Ventresque)
- Stakeholder Engagement & Feedback – IRIS Project, University of Limerick
Breakthrough Results in Player Welfare
The Tackle Behaviours Trial, implemented across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, was designed to reduce the risk of head impacts and promote safer, more effective tackling by lowering the legal tackle height from the armpits to below the line of the sternum.
Key Insights
Comparing five pre-trial seasons to the two-season trial period, the IRFU recorded the following key results:
Concussion Rates
- Men’s All-Ireland League (AIL): ↓ 33%
- Women’s AIL: ↓ 18%
While significant decreases in concussion rates were observed in the Men’s and Women’s AIL, similar changes were not seen in the Schools’ SCT game. Following these findings, the IRFU and Provinces are committed to continuing to work with their schools to enhance education, tackle technique and player behaviours in our schools’ game.
Overall Injury Rates
- Men’s AIL: ↓ 18%
- Women’s AIL: ↓ 30%
- Schools’ Senior Cup (SCT): ↓ 19%
Tackle-Related Injuries
- Men’s AIL: ↓ 21%
- Women’s AIL: ↓ 34%
- Schools’ SCT: ↓ 10%
Video Analysis
- Head impacts reduced by 7%
- Ball-in-play time increased by approximately 4 minutes
- Offloads, rucks, and kicks in play all rose, showing improved game flow and continuity
The IRFU ran an extensive consultation process and then intorduced a full suite of edutcation tools incuding player, coach and referee guidelines as part of the launch of the trial
IRFU Community Consultation Process
RFU Community Consultation Process – Summary
PHASE 1 – Internal Assessment (JAN-FEB ’23)
- IRFU Medical Dept presented new evidence from existing trials, studies and medical research to IRFU Union Committee.
- IRFU Union Committee voted to commence consultation process.
- Irish Rugby staff consultations – 100+ IRFU and provincial staff.
PHASE 2 – Community Notification (MAR ’23)
- Detailed memo published and issued to club honorary secretaries and school principals with overview of consultation process.
- IRFU Medical Dept information guide published and distributed.
- World Rugby proposal distributed.
- World Rugby invited to present to Irish Rugby stakeholders.
PHASE 3 – Community Engagement (MAR – APR ’23)
- 500+ Webinar Registrations for Consultation Process Overview, World Rugby Proposal Overview and Presentation From World Rugby On The Case For Lowering Tackle Height In Community Rugby.
- All participants invited to ask questions and provide feedback.
- All participants take part in sentiment survey.
- IRFU publish details of proposed law-trial to lower tackle height.
- IRFU share invite to World Rugby Player Welfare & Laws Symposium event on Tackle Height.
- Scottish Rugby tackle height case study published.
- Written feedback form added to IrishRugby.ie.
PHASE 4 – Evaluation & Recommendation (APR-MAY ’23)
- 100+ attend series of open engagements with IRFU/Provincial Staff; Match Officials; Age-Grade & Schools stakeholders; Junior & Senior Club stakeholders.
- Participants invited to share feedback on proposed law trial
- Participants asked to take part in polls to capture sentiment.
- Evaluation of feedback captured during consultation process.
- Formal recommendation to IRFU Rugby Committee
- IRFU Rugby Committee and IRFU Union Committee vote to opt into global trial.