To: Secretaries/Chief Executive Officers of Unions and Regional Associations in
Membership of the IRB
From: David Carrigy
Head of Member Services
Date: November 1, 2007
Re: IRB Council Decision – Dangerous Tackle
Council at its Interim Meeting held on October 19, 2007 considered a recommendation from the Rugby Committee on dangerous tackling.
Please find below the decision of Council in relation to dangerous tackling.
The Council had before it a report from the IRB Judicial Chairman who had expressed serious concern with regard to a decision of an Appeal Committee based upon an interpretation of Law 10 4(e) which relates to high tackles. The interpretation suggested that the tackle would have to start at a level above the line of the shoulders for it to be dangerous and in contravention of Law 10 4 (e). Following discussion it was AGREED that the following interpretation be applied:
A dangerous tackle is effected whenever there is contact above the line of the shoulders whether the contact is the first or a subsequent point of contact. To be clear, a tackle which involves arm contact below the line of the shoulders and thereafter contact is made with either the neck or the head of the tackled player is a dangerous tackle within Law 10.4 (e)
Please ensure that this information is distributed to all relevant personnel within your Union as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
David Carrigy
Head of Member Services
RFU.com 
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