Overview
- World Rugby’s Executive Board on Wednesday approved a law amendment that will explicitly add the hip-drop tackle to foul play, with the new wording taking effect on 1 November.
- The governing body issued a Law Application Guideline that is effective immediately to reinforce existing rules against knee-drop tackles and allow referees to penalise the move now.
- The changes follow work by an expert tackle-height group that commissioned research, including from Leeds Beckett University, and reviewed global match footage to show the two techniques can cause significant leg and knee injuries.
- World Rugby says hip-drop will carry at least a penalty kick and that officials, players and coaches must adapt quickly, a shift that could create short-term inconsistency in enforcement across competitions.
- The move reflects cross-code precedents in rugby league and the NFL and responds to high-profile lower-limb injuries in recent tournaments, which officials say underlines the need to protect players and reduce serious harm.