World Rugby adopts lower community tackle height

World Rugby Council approved a lower legal tackle height for community rugby in Dublin on 17 June 2026. The new law applied to seasons starting after 1 July, with national unions choosing either waist height or the base of the sternum.

The decision followed trials across ten unions and analysis of more than 150,000 tackles. World Rugby reported that lower tackle limits reduced the likelihood of upright tackles, a situation associated with avoidable head impacts. This is the federation’s assessment of the trials, rather than a guarantee that injuries can be eliminated.

Game On variations retained flexibility for situations such as pick-and-go play and double tackles. The published wording also placed responsibility on ball-carriers to enter tackles safely. Elite rugby’s standard sanction line remained at the shoulder.

Council separately approved other law changes concerning the scrum brake foot, water carriers, the TMO’s formal role and an optional 20-minute red-card replacement in elite competitions.