The Rugby Football Union will trial the new tackle laws in the second tier of English Rugby next season in a bid to make the game safer.
The height of a legal tackle in rugby union will be lowered to below the armpits rather than the line of the shoulders. The move comes as a result of growing concern about the safety of the game and more research being done into concussions and brain injuries.
“We believe lowering the height of the tackle will benefit both the ball carrier and the tackler,” said RFU professional rugby director Nigel Melville.
“The Championship Cup provides an opportunity for us to assess the impact of lowering the height of the tackle on the elite adult game.
“It will be a critical part of helping us develop game-wide approaches to concussion and injury reduction.”
Meanwhile, World Rugby chairman and former England captain Bill Beaumont hailed the RFU for their ground-breaking trial.
“We applaud the RFU and the Championship Cup clubs for embracing this important trial,” Beaumont said.
“The global game is committed to an evidence-based approach to injury prevention. The outcomes from this trial will provide comprehensive data and feedback to inform our continued commitment to further reducing concussion risk in rugby.”