Schools level rugby tackle ban idea ‘crazy’

Former Ireland and Lions player and manager Donal Lenihan yesterday opposed calls for full-contact rugby to be banned at schools' level. He said it would interfere with "a fundamental element" of the sport.

Any ban, he said, could lead to worse injuries if older, heavier, players were expected to quickly develop tackling skills.

“It’s absolutely crazy. To suggest that they could learn to tackle when they leave school is nonsense and could make it even more dangerous," he said.

"Tackle technique should be learned young and practised as much as possible."

Mr Lenihan was responding to an open letter sent simultaneously to sports ministers, chief medical officers and the children's ombudsman in both Ireland and British by more than 70  health experts from the UK and US.

They called for a ban on tackling in schools' rugby and a move towards touch-and-tag as alternatives to full-contact.

"There’s an element of danger in every sport," the Irish Examiner columnist said. "Look at hockey, boxing or cricket. The important thing is to learn to play properly, that’s how you avoid injury."

Mr Lenihan, whose international rugby career took off after he captained his Christian Brothers Cork team to Munster junior and senior titles, said schools' players are now "bigger, faster and stronger" as coaches adopt international-level coaching techniques.

"Kids are being exposed to weight training at a younger age. The collisions look more ferocious and dangerous now.

“If I were going to change anything to make the sport safer for younger players I would reduce the schools’ emphasis on strength and condition; by focusing on skills, children could play a faster, lighter, game with fewer collisions."

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said it did not support such a ban, arguing the benefits of being involved in sports far outweighed risks.

"There is a risk of injury in all contact sports," an IRFU spokesman said. "While World Rugby and the IRFU, in partnership with Ulster University and other institutions, are undertaking research into this important area, we would welcome the opportunity to partner with government agencies in the development of evidence-based research into the risks and rewards associated with all sports."

Several reports in recent years highlighted a high incidence of head and spinal injuries, raising fears of a 'hidden epidemic' of concussions and other injuries in the game.

An English rugby project last year had reported 13% of premiership players had suffered a concussion in the 2013-2014 season.

However, it is much harder to establish the injury rates for children who play the high-impact sport, especially at junior levels.

The open letter from medical professionals warned full-contact rugby ran the risk of younger players suffering fractures, ligament tears, dislocated shoulders, spinal injuries and head injuries, with "short-term, lifelong and life-ending consequences for children".