This - nothing more complicated is required.

Personally, I'm in favour of a ban up to open age level. Teach kids the disciplines of tackling properly rather than looking for the big shot.

Once you get to open age however, allow the shoulder charge by all means but make sure that any contact with the head is appropriately punished.

I'd ban it at all levels except for SL and Championships. I don't think it has a place within the amateur game.

and why doesn't it have a place in the amateur game? i've played OA rugby for 18 years and seen and done plenty of shoulder charge tackles. there are far worse things that go on in the amateur game that cause more injuries that could be more effectively dealt with by the powers that be.

Because the amateur game is not supposed to be a platform for stupid thugs to go around trying to look hard, proving how tough they are, and pretending they're playing at Wembley and not at a working men's club on top of a hill. Sadly that's what it currently is which is why no sod plays it.

Out of interest, which currently legal tackles/tactics/techniques are used in the amateur game that cause more injuries or the potential for them?

shouldn't be banned. There should, however, be an absolute burden on the tackler to carry out the tackle in a safe way. Contact with the head, deliberate or accidental, should be a straight red card. Prioritise clean & safe tackling rather then reckless and dangerous big hits.

the amateur game is a stepping stone to the pro game. so why ban something in the amateur game and then allow those players to use it in the pro game should they make it there?

and i never said there are legal tackles/tactics/techniques that cause more injuries. i said there are far worse things that go on in the amateur game that need to be cracked down on more effectively e.g head highs, punching, stamping and even deliberate attacks to the groin area. all off these i've been on the receiving end of, and i'd rather take a shoulder charge any day of the week, especially compared to the last one. i think if these things were cracked down on, as well as the general thugs you talk about, it may go some way to solving the problem of participation levels

Yes but its only when you play Queens though

I agree, but those things are currently against the rules so doesn't need a change in the rules, just the currently pathetic bodies to properly enforce them and hand out proper punishments to both clubs and players. I just don't see a need for a tackling technique that even pro's struggle to get right. And yes the amateur game is a stepping stone, but it's also a very different scenario. In the pro game the players are getting paid and the aim of the pro game is to win. The amateur game is obviously played by people getting no financial reward and little backup if they get an injury, also the ultimate aim of clubs, coaches and players in the amateur shouldn't be the same "win" mentality as that of pro clubs and players, the aim should be to improve and to enjoy the sport. In that kind of mentality there's no need for a shoulder charge.
We have to get the amateur game away from the ridiculous attitude it currently has.

i'm sorry, but i don't get that mentality. i have never, ever taken to a rugby pitch with the attitude thats its just a game and i'm there for participation purposes only. if you don't want to win, whats the point? even as a young lad of 7/8 we always played to win. i just don't get this mentality thats around today. its like at school sports days where "everyones a winner" and everyone gets a prize!! maybe thats why are national teams are so good at dealing with failure, because some people just don't care about winning?

and i don't know what amateur club you maybe involved with, but the club i'm involved with does try to help players who are injured and missing work, players can also take out insurance to cover themselves in case of injuries. Whats wrong with coaches and players in the amateur game having a professional attitude towards the game? in my opinion the changes in coaching techniques, training methods and the attitude of amateur players have seen the amateur game come on in leaps and bounds in the 18 years i've been an OA player. the standard of amateur rugby is far better now than it was, i can assure you, its just like we agree, there are certain elements that governing bodies need to clamp down on.

The data coming out of the NFL and NASCAR will mean we'll have to ban the outside of the shoulder barge, I'm sure we'll be able to hit hard with the top of the shoulder without having to bring the arm around too much.

Playing to win is one thing - coaching a junior team however, requires a bit more of a rounded approach; if winning is the only thing that's valued for example, and the youngsters fail to do so on a regular basis, they soon get downhearted and disillusioned - what's more important is to coach for development.

This is not just the job of coaches by the way - parents and guardians need to understand the concept as well, otherwise they can be quite a negative influence.

Also chuck in there the fact that in England, people believe that the aussies have better facilities, coaching, training techniques and sports science.

Removing that illusion from our psyche would be a positive also.