What’s harder to referee, the tackler or the tackled player ?
After much kerfuffle following an attempt to introduce the new law without consultation, the RFU underwent a consultation process and came to the same conclusion. So on 21 April the RFU Council voted to adopt the law changes with the new tackle height level from 1 July being defined as below the base of the sternum: The area of the tummy or belly and below.
What was also introduced and seemingly overlooked in the popular press is the position of the player with the ball going into the tackle. The changes in this area are highlighted in bold:
(a) Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the head, shoulder, elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over an opponent.
(b) Ball-carriers must not lower their height significantly before making contact with an opponent in open play.
It seems to be saying that the player with the ball cannot dip. This will be a key area for officials managing players entering contact. But what happens to the pick and go or pick and drive. What will that look like? We shall see
An application guide is being prepared and we await it with bated breath. Whatever the guidance you can rest assured that we will be ready to inform clubs, coaches and players of the guidance and its interpretation.