Rugby league has further tightened its concussion rules for the 2023 season, but the sport will not amend its stance on tackle height despite significant and controversial changes adopted by rugby union.
The Rugby Football Union will ban tackling above waist height from next season in the community game, a decision that has met a significant backlash. But the 13-player code has no immediate plans to adopt a similar policy before the domestic season beginning at professional level later this month.
The Rugby Football League has a dedicated head contact working group that has proposed some minor tweaks, which could be trialled at academy level as early as this season. But there are no proposals for widespread changes to the tackle height rules like those seen in union.
The sport’s governing body will enact research throughout 2023 to understand the ramifications of any potential major changes to the laws. In league any tackle around or above the neck is deemed illegal.
However, the sport has tightened its concussion policy as the focus on preventing long-lasting damage from head injuries continues. That includes an increase in the minimum stand-down period after a player sustains a concussion to 12 days, up from 11.
That increase ensures that any player with a concussion will miss their team’s next match, and prevents them from any form of contact, whether during games or training, for a longer period.
“We have reviewed the World Rugby models and it sits in line with that and offers a consistent and cautious approach within this space,” the RFL’s head of medical, Laura Fairbank, said. “It builds in an extra day of exercise recovery and it is indicated that can help facilitate a more thorough recovery from concussion..
