At least one Irish professional rugby player supports school tackle ban

Though 99% of Irish pros oppose any move to remove tackling from the schools game.

In response to last week’s letter from a group of more than 70 doctors and medical experts urging the elimination of tackling from the game at schools level, the Irish Rugby Union Players’ Association (IRUPA) conducted a snap poll of its members to canvass their views on the recommendation.

According to a statement released today by IRUPA, 99% of members who voted were in favour of retaining the tackle, with 1% supporting the proposed ban.

IRUPA also asked its members whether they would allow their children - now or in the future - to play rugby, with 97% agreeing they would.

Chief Executive of IRUPA, Omar Hassanein commented:

”It is interesting yet not surprising that our members are so adamant about maintaining the laws of the game to all extents possible and thus keeping the very fabric of the game intact. This is not to suggest that our members aren’t all aware of the inherent risks in kids playing a contact sport, however we need to be careful not to tamper with the sport that we all love so much to such a degree that the next generation lose all interest in playing.

“The values and life skills that kids learn through rugby are not only significant but long-lasting. Teaching children good tackle technique at a very early age is the best way to continually mitigate risk of injury, yet allow them to play the sport they enjoy so much and which instils in them such great values.”

IRUPA Director and Irish international Peter O’Mahony added:

“Rugby is a contact sport and there will always be risks associated with playing the game. However looking back to when I was a young boy growing up in Cork and learning the game, I realise that rugby taught me so many life skills that will stay with me for the rest of my life. A restriction in the contact area at junior level would take away from the very essence of the game and for this reason it is not a position that myself or the majority of the IRUPA membership would be in support of.”