The IRFU say they will be consulting with members of the community game over proposed changes to the tackle height at amateur level.
World Rugby are expected to present formal proposals to lower the tackle height in the club and age-grade game at the March meeting of their executive board, which is likely to take the form of a global trial, which unions can opt into if they wish.
A statement from the IRFU says they will begin a consultation process with their stakeholders in the club and schools game around the possibility of opting in or out of such a trial, which will aim to change tackle behaviours and reduce concussion in the amateur game.
No decision has yet been made about whether or not they will opt in, while they say they have been monitoring a series of previous trials around the tackle height, including:
- Below the sternum targeting the belly area (Community Rugby in New Zealand, 2023)
- Arm-pit tackle height (University Level Competition, South Africa, 2019)
- Waist-height tackle (Community Game, France, 2019)
- Below the line of the nipple (World Rugby U20 Trophy, 2018)
And the IRFU have added that some of those trials have included restrictions on ball-carriers dipping into contact, as well as limiting two-player tackles.
IRFU Director of Rugby Development Colin McEntee said: "With the initial phases of internal briefings and reviews now complete, I wish to advise that we are now entering the community consultation phase of this process.
"It is our view that a discussion is needed across the entire Irish Rugby family to look at the evidence, explore opportunities always prioritising our duty of care to our players."
It comes after the high-profile decision by the RFU in England to make drastic changes to their own tackle laws.
In January, the English rugby union confirmed they would be lowering the tackle height to the waist and below for all levels below the professional game, starting from July 2023, before rowing back on the decision following a major backlash from those in both the pro and amateur game and have begun consulting with their own stakeholders over a suitable height limit.
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