Robustness and Load for Performance

The IRFU introduced the Tackle Behaviours Trial at the start of the 2023/24 season to reduce head contact risk in the community game. The legal tackle height was lowered to below the sternum, aligning with World Rugby’s global trial framework.

The trial was delivered in collaboration with the provinces, clubs, and schools, and supported by academic research across three focus areas:

1. Injury Surveillance – Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance (IRIS) Project, University of Limerick (Prof. Ian Kenny and Prof. Tom Comyns)
2. 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

New World Rugby and laboratory studies have shown that head injury risk is at its highest when tackles are made to the head and shoulder and lowest when tackles are made to the belly area.

The purpose of this trial will be to incentivise greater use of the belly tackle and ultimately reduce incidents of head-on-head impact in the tackle.

For the purposes of the trial World Rugby Union Law 9.13 will read as follows:

IRFU Tackle Height Law Trial – 2023/24 and 2024/25:

“Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the sternum* even if the tackle starts below the line of the sternum.”

*Previously: Shoulder (a horizontal line drawn from top of one armpit to the other)

Rucks and Mauls will not be affected by this law trial as they are covered under Law 9.20 (Dangerous Play In A Ruck Or Maul).

Nearly half of all tackles involve more than one tackler and so for the purpose of clarity, the legal tackle height of below the sternum would apply to all tacklers.

A law trial would not change the ability for an attacking team to carry out a “pick-and-go” play, but law application guidelines may apply where any player has initiated shoulder-to-head/neck or head-to-head/neck contact.

Rugby Union Law 9.11 currently states that: “Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler.” As always, a strict approach will be applied to reckless or dangerous play by a ball carrier.

This will include a ball carrier leading with their head or initiating contact with their head.

IRFU 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.