World Rugby lowers legal tackle height in community rugby

World Rugby Council has approved a lower legal tackle height for community rugby, set to come into effect from 1 July 2026 for seasons starting after that date. The decision, made in Dublin, follows two-year trials across 10 national member unions involving over 150,000 studied tackles, which showed the change reduced upright tackles and avoidable head impacts. Unions will be able to choose either waist height or the base of the sternum as the new legal tackle height limit.