The Third Half: The tackle ban & Scottish resurgence

Banning contact for under 18’s is a ridiculous idea. It is like telling a cricket team they can only bowl spin for fear of a fast bouncer hitting the batsman or a hockey player can only push and not hit the ball for fear of striking an opposition player. It would leave a fundamentally different game to the detriment of all involved. That being said head injuries are a serious topic, especially in youngsters, so I would support banding by size / weight groups rather than just age. That would be a good step forward. Additionally, more funding for grass roots rugby coach education so to really push home the fact and coach the principles of rugby being an evasion game I.e. Look for space, exploit the space and make the ball do the work. Avoiding the constant head on collisions for minimal gain and use the principles of ‘evasion’ will help reduce injuries in youngsters and aid a greater skill set.