The Irish Rugby Football Union will keep the legal tackle height below the sternum in the 2025-26 season , as well as implementing further global law trials in the amateur game.
The lower tackle height decision comes after preliminary data showed a reduction in overall injury rates during the last two seasons.
The IRFU joined a World Rugby trial of lowering tackle height below the base of the sternum in the community game in 2023, with the aim of reducing injuries, especially head impact exposure and concussion risk.
The rule was put to trial across Ireland in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, and analysis of the large volume of data collected is continuing.
"Preliminary findings show decreases in overall injury rates across the domestic game in Ireland. We also see decreases in tackle-related injuries and the rate of head impacts during the trial," the IRFU said in a statement.
The English and Scottish rugby unions have introduced similar rules to lower the tackle height.
"We are one of the only Unions in a position to compare five seasons of injury data before the trial with the two trial seasons," said Caithriona Yeomans, the IRFU's medical manager for the domestic game.
"We are looking at the injury data, alongside video analysis and stakeholder feedback to fully understand the impact of this trial, however preliminary findings are encouraging."
Over 1,000 former amateur and professional rugby union and rugby league players have joined a long-running concussion lawsuit against the sports' governing bodies for allegedly failing to put in place reasonable.
In addition, the governing body for Ireland also announced four more trials being added this year.
The Global Law Trials Being Introduced Are:
Quicker Conversions – Aimed at improving game flow and reducing delays.
Time Limit for Lineout Formation – Teams will now have a maximum of 30 seconds to form a lineout, aligning with existing scrum time limits.
Cleaner Play Away from the Breakdown – Stricter enforcement around off-the-ball play at rucks, mauls, and scrums to improve player welfare.
Uncontested Lineouts: Not Straight = Play On – In uncontested lineouts, throws not straight will now result in play continuing, rather than a turnover.
These trials were first introduced at the professional level and are designed to enhance the speed, safety, and contestability of rugby. After careful consideration, the IRFU opted to delay their domestic rollout to allow time for proper education and preparation across all levels of the game.
