World Rugby seeks more data on lower tackle height trials

The World Rugby Executive Board has determined that additional data is required before deciding whether to implement a lower legal tackle height across elite rugby competitions. While preliminary trials conducted during the 2026 U20 Junior World Championship were viewed as generally positive, officials concluded that the 40 matches played during the tournament provided insufficient information to predict the impact on both men’s and women’s professional rugby.

World Rugby Chairman Brett Robinson stated that while the initial results were interesting, the organization needs a larger sample size to understand potential unintended consequences. To achieve this, World Rugby is encouraging national unions to identify opportunities for trials within elite domestic competitions, noting that such high-level participation is essential for gathering representative data.

Detailed findings from the U20 trials are scheduled to be discussed at the World Rugby Medical Commission Conference in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 27-28.