Scottish Rugby have announced its intention to trial a new tackle law in the community game which will come into effect at the start of the 2023/24 season. 

Following a survey conducted with community rugby stakeholders, the decision was taken to run the trial, which will see the tackle point drop from shoulder height to below the sternum.

The move to the lower tackle height follows the World Rugby-endorsed trials, which have been trialled in both South Africa and France. 

The new law trials which have been approved by Scotland’s Club Rugby Board (CRB) are: 

1. Maximum height tackle in initial contact must be below the sternum.
2. The second tackler is still permitted, but the player must make initial contact below the sternum.
3. There will be no change to the current laws regarding the ball carrier, but reckless play will be sanctioned (e.g. leading with head) where the ball carrier put themselves or the defender at risk of head-on-head contact.
4. There will be no change to the current laws regarding a ‘pick and go’ scenario. 

Scottish Rugby’s Rugby Development department was commissioned by the CRB to conduct a series of online consultation sessions in February with clubs, schools, and referee societies. 

Of those who participated in the consultation, 80 percent indicated they were in favour of the lower tackle height, with only six percent stating they were content with current laws. 

Last month, World Rugby’s Executive Board recommended that national Unions participate in an opt-in global trial of lowering the tackle height in their respective community games to a below sternum level. 

A new lower tackle height law trial will be implemented across the community game from the start of next season.

This follows a wide-spread consultation process with key stakeholders and approval from Scottish Rugby’s Club Rugby Board.

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— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) April 12, 2023

Speaking on the announcement of the trials, Scottish Rugby Vice President and CRB Chairman Keith Wallace said: 

“Player welfare is of utmost importance to the representatives of the CRB, and as custodians for the community game, it is vital that we place safety and enjoyment at the heart of the decisions we make. 

“We strongly believe reducing the tackle height from next season encompasses both of those matters and will create a more positive and ultimately safer environment in which our sport is played. 

“It has been encouraging to see the level of engagement which those in our game met the consultation period with and their receptiveness to the evidence from World Rugby’s endorsed trials. 

“I would like to share my thanks to the Rugby Development department for leading the consultation process in a very thorough, professional and engaging manner and to all those who took part, as it formed an invaluable part of our decision-making process.” 

Endorsing his colleague’s sentiments, Scottish Director of Rugby Development Gavin Scott said: 

“Wellbeing is one of the core pillars of Scottish Rugby’s strategy, and overall player experience and standards of player welfare, including reducing concussion rates, is central to this. This is why the new law trials on reducing the tackle height have been so important to consider and consult on. 

“I would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation. It provided significant insight into how those at the heart of our game feel, and I’m pleased the overwhelming majority believe in the benefits of tackle height reduction. 

“We will now work closely with our clubs, schools and referee societies to ensure their players and volunteers are supported and prepared for the changes whilst also having a clear understanding of how they can support Scottish Rugby to monitor the impacts of the trial to player welfare throughout the season.” 

Backing Scottish Rugby’s decision to follow other unions' decision to trial the lower tackle height, Mark Harrington, World Rugby Chief Player Welfare & Rugby Services Officer, said: 

“It is great to see Scottish Rugby joining unions across the world in opting in to the global law trial on lowering the tackle height in the community game. 

“Scottish Rugby has provided the model for the rest of the world to follow when it comes to their open engagement and thoughtful consultation with everyone involved in the game in Scotland. 

“We now look forward to the next stage on the journey together, towards a community game that is both as safe as it can be and more enjoyable than ever for everyone who plays the game in Scotland.”