Experts seek ban on tackling in school rugby to prevent child injuries

Leading clinicians and academics have called for a ban on tackling in rugby played at schools, in an open letter to government officials in the United Kingdom.1

The 73 signatories included public health professionals, academics, GPs, and sports scholars from across the globe, who voiced their concerns over the harms that can be caused by tackling during this school sport activity. Rugby representatives and the government, however, have argued that the sport helps build character and that safety is taken seriously and monitored carefully.

Rugby is a high impact collision sport, said the letter, …