Robbie Henshaw: Players must adapt to new high tackles reality

It’s just days since Leo Cullen poured cold water on the idea that World Rugby’s new directives on high tackles could be a game-changer but Robbie Henshaw is taking a very different view on the basis of the early evidence from last weekend.

A number of players in various competitions fell foul of the renewed focus on tackles above the shoulder area, most notably Ulster’s Sean Reidy who coughed up a penalty try and was sinbinned for making high contact with Scarlets’ Aled Davies.

If anything, Andrew Trimble’s attempted tackle on Davies was more dangerous and, though the Ireland wing escaped unpunished, Henshaw believes that the onus is now on the players to adapt to the new reality and not force a referee’s hand.