Always a Wasp

Tackle height laws proposed for championship down now extended to elite rugby. My personal opinion - it?s a disastrous decision that could mean the game we follow becomes pretty much farcical. Lots of opinion out there. What do we think.

I'm not sure that lowering tackle height as suggested, actually answers the question that probably needs posing first. Whilst tackle impacts to the head are to be discouraged, perhaps I'd really like to know if there is a correlation between tackle height and brain injury to tackler and tackled player. Playing at decent amateur level, I suffered my worst "in the moment" brain injury when tackling 100% within proposed changes to Laws. I tackled a SR around the knees in what I hoped was a dominant tackle and suffered a knee to the head. I was examined by a player's wife who was a GP and allowed to carry on after what was a v crude HIA.

So my main question is are we sure we know what is causing the brain injuries and that are the subject of legal action - both at professional and amateur level? (Impact, the height of impact, the frequency of impact etc etc) And even if we are - is there/are there changes that would mitigate this risk and be enforceable?

There is a potential position where rugby as a game may not be "do'able". Especially if we do know (get to understand) what is causing the problems and if there isn't a viable mitigation.

Really hoping for similar positive messages by the end of Feb. Would be very welcome on a personal level and it would provide motivation to plan into next rugby season.

Be brilliant if we're based near Solihull area allowing me to get a lift to see Wasps and to hopefully see some of the guys from here too.

I was watching BT when they discussed the Farrell "ruling" and I agree that it stinks. If he's allowed to be selected and as captain, I'm supporting France.

Demonstrates that player welfare means damn all if those who carry the responsibility for player discipline and so safety - cynically exploit the rules so that a player can be selected for the national team.

I've been hoping I might regain my interest in England after Jones left - but this makes it very hard.....

If you have 5 mins - this link from 2021 shows some of Farrells' "greatest hits"

I was particularly disgusted by the hit on the Doncaster player..... (towards the bottom) as well as on Charlie. And the one on Dan wasn't great. He knows he's done something as there's a tendency towards trying to make out he's hurt...

It's not like this is a one off or accidental issue

https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments/british-irish-lions/owen-farrells-tackle-technique-128834

I think much of my late Dad's love of the game was based on players like Duckham. I saw him a couple of times back in the day and always seemed to me to be under appreciated. A bit of a Matt Le Tissier in football terms - rather too good for those who might have made more of him.

Only Carwyn James saw the potential. I believe he scored 11 tries on that Lions tour in '71. And of course that try vs the AB's in Cardiff....

Even as an old prop, he was still one of the reasons (along with Fran Cotton...) I fell in love with the game and his style of play was what I wanted to see and a key reason I became a Wasp.

Four divisions? Used to enjoy watching Wasps players turning out for London Division back in the day....

Rugby certainly has changed in the 30 years since I played regularly. A wind up was more about putting you off your game, as getting sent off for a bit of "rough housing" was more or less unheard of. The officials in the college games especially, would have thought you probably got what you deserved if you'd been caught with the verbals - or more likely, the odd kick or treading offence. I still can see a 5cm, stud wide scar on the side of one knee inflicted on purpose. I saw who did it....

But wind ups to get a reaction and sanction really need to be stopped. If the "enforcement" side of the game has gone then the provoker role needs to go at well. And I'm all for the "enforcement" side to go, even as voted "dirtiest player of the year" 1985 at college...Well, I was a prop...had to stand up for myself!

It's even more distasteful - well it is for me - as he knows he can too often get away with it. Mainly because retaliation is - for some reason - looked upon as the same, if not worse than the initiator's conduct.

I'm sure many of us are from a playing era where if someone was talking the talk, they'd better be able to walk the walk. My Uni used to play a few military teams that were up for a bit of verbals and more and you had to stand your ground (i.e. you'd have thumped someone) Then, the officials basically had the attitude that if you got smacked it was your own fault

Whilst not condoning violence....he's have found "talking" to say one of our more famous front rowers to played for England from the mid 80's to early 90's a rather more painful experience....And one not to be repeated.

Hence, sanctions on players who do indulge ought to be a deterrence.