‘Rugby Coaches Prepare for a Challenging Season: The Mission Impossible of Premiership Rugby’

‘Mission Impossible’: Premiership Rugby Coaches Braced for Barrage of Red Cards

Rugby World Cup and Increasing Red Card Trend

The Rugby World Cup has witnessed a concerning trend in recent years – an increase in the number of red cards. The next red card at this year’s tournament will tie the record number of red cards at any single edition. It is a clear and growing trend that should not be dismissed lightly. Furthermore, as the Premiership kicks off, coaches are bracing themselves for a season dominated by red cards. The tackle height is expected to come under special attention from referees, with Tom Curry’s red card against Argentina generating significant concern within the rugby community.

The Call for Mitigation and Common Sense

Coaches and players alike recognize the seriousness of head contact in rugby. However, there is frustration about how the game is refereed and the lack of mitigation for certain situations. Lee Radford, defense coach for Northampton Saints, calls for some level of mitigation, pointing out that players have only a split second to adapt their body heights in a tackle. He highlights the case of Tom Curry, who received a red card and consequently missed three games in the World Cup due to a tackle where his body height unintentionally dipped. Radford argues that common sense needs to prevail in these situations and calls for finding a happy medium in addressing head contact.

The Prevalence of Concussions in Rugby

There are ongoing trials in grassroots rugby to address head contact, requiring tacklers to hit below the base of the sternum and ball-carriers not to significantly lower their height before making contact. However, these trials come with their own set of issues. Radford points out that concussion can occur even when players collide with hips or knees, as demonstrated in a pre-season game where Sam Graham knocked out two tacklers with his hips. The concern is that by reducing the target area, there may be an increased risk of heads colliding.

Anticipating a Flurry of Red Cards

There is a general consensus among coaches that the opening weeks of the Premiership season will be marked by a flurry of red cards. Coaches are already factoring this into their training sessions, practicing for scenarios where their team has to play with 13 or 14 men on the field. While there may be initial frustration, many acknowledge the need for stricter enforcement of rules around head contact.

Learning from Rugby League

Many coaches, including Lee Radford and Paul Gustard, who previously coached England and Saracens, suggest looking to rugby league for examples of how a sport can evolve to address safety concerns. Rugby league has undergone significant changes over the years to make the sport safer for players. Gustard encourages coaches and players to set standards and adapt to the changes, even if they may feel uncomfortable initially. The aim is to protect players and ensure the future of the sport.

The Seriousness of Head Contact

Head contact in rugby is a serious matter that needs to be addressed. Coaches and players are united in their desire to remove malicious intent and dangerous foul play from the game. There is a duty of care to both current and future players, as well as the overall growth of the sport. The less the game is talked about in terms of yellow and red cards for head-high tackles, the better it is for the sport.

The Future of Rugby at Stake

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter emphasizes the seriousness of the situation by stating that the head-contact process is destroying the game. The players, who are directly affected by these issues, may soon have more say in how the game is refereed, especially with nearly 300 former players currently suing those in charge of the sport over their failure to prevent concussion. The future of rugby is at stake, and it is crucial for all stakeholders – coaches, players, lawmakers, and custodians of the game – to work together to ensure the safety and growth of the sport.