Hip drop and knee drop tackles banned

World Rugby has approved measures banning both "hip drop" and "knee drop" tackles to protect player welfare. The hip drop tackle will be officially added to foul play under Law 9.13 and penalized starting November 1. Meanwhile, a Law Application Guideline clarifying existing rules against knee drop tackles took effect immediately on October 5.

The regulatory changes followed research commissioned with Leeds Beckett University by World Rugby's tackle height working group. World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson and International Rugby Players Association representative Rob Kearney confirmed the bans aim to prevent serious lower-limb injuries, following similar safety actions previously taken in rugby league and American football.