Archive · 15 Dec 2025
Lower Tackle Height Trialed in Under-20 Rugby
World Rugby is trying something new in the Under-20 World Championship in Georgia next year.
They want players to tackle each other lower, around the chest area, instead of higher up.
This is because they think it might make the game safer and reduce head injuries.
They've already tested this in smaller games and found that it worked well, with fewer high tackles and some teams reporting fewer concussions.
However, they're not sure if this will work in professional games yet, so they're going to test it out first.
If it goes well, they might make it a rule for all games in the future.
This is part of their effort to make rugby safer for players, especially after some players sued them for not doing enough to protect them from brain injuries.
Lower sternum tackle height to be trialed at the Under-20 World Rugby Championship in Georgia in June 2024.
Trials in 11 countries over the last two seasons showed a 10% reduction in upright tackles and some unions reported lower concussion rates.
The rule will become mandatory for the community game from July 2026.
Additional trials will include allowing pick and go actions near rucks and during scoring plays.
World Rugby emphasizes that this is a trial and not yet a law change at the elite level.
- Who
- World Rugby and participating rugby unions
- What
- Introduction of a lower sternum tackle height in the Under-20 World Rugby Championship
- When
- June 2024 (trial), July 2026 (mandatory in community game)
- Where
- Georgia (Under-20 World Rugby Championship), 11 countries (previous trials)
- Why
- To reduce upright tackles and potentially lower concussion rates, with positive results from community game trials
- Event
- World Under-20 Rugby Championship in Georgia
- Trial Start Date
- June 2024
- Mandatory Implementation Date
- July 2026 (community game)
- Reduction in Upright Tackles
- Up to 10%
- Concussion Rate Reduction
- Reported in some unions over a single season
- Trial Locations
- 11 countries over the last two seasons
- Additional Trials
- Pick and go actions near rucks and scoring plays