Schools should teach tackling, not ban it, says Anthony Foley

Munster Rugby’s Head Coach Anthony Foley last night claimed sensible and wise coaching from an early age to instil proper tackling technique into every player is the solution to the current controversies afflicting the game.

Yesterday, more than 70 doctors and medical experts sent an open letter to the British government calling for tackling to be banned in schools and youths rugby and went so far as to urge educational institutions to instead adopt touch or non-contact rugby. That is unlikely to ever come to pass although Anthony Foley doesn’t underestimate the problems facing the game he has graced since his youngest days at St Munchins College.

Indeed, in his time there he played three seasons of senior cup rugby and picked up eight Irish schools caps so should know the impact rugby has on young bodies.