Dangerous tackles - October 2026

Knee Drop tackles – effect from 5 October 2026

There is an increasing trend for players to drop a knee to the ground before they make a tackle on a ball carrier.

These actions create a number of player welfare concerns – with the tackler’s head being lowered rapidly to the knee height of a ball carrier, and for the ball carrier who makes contact with an anchored tackler, or the dynamics of it forcing the ball carrier to flip/invert onto the ground. These actions have led to an increase in injuries to both participants.

Players who do this are taking themselves off their feet in open play, and so in law cannot make, or attempt to make a tackle. This is covered in Law 13 (Players on the ground in open play), and by foul play law if match officials deem the tackle to be reckless or dangerous.

Players are advised to stop this technique, and for match officials to sanction accordingly if identified.

It is recognised that there will be times when a defender makes simultaneous contact with the ground as they make a tackle. This will not be deemed to be foul play, providing it is not done dangerously.

• Law 13.3c: A player on the ground in the field of play, without the ball is out of the game and must... not tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent. Sanction: Penalty
• Law 9.11: Players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others. Sanction: Penalty.
• Law 9.13: A player must not tackle an opponent early, late, or dangerously. Sanction: Penalty.
  

A presentation for use by Unions or referee organisations can be found (in English, French and Spanish) here: https://worldrugby.box.com/v/kneedroptackles