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Rugby

'Wales defence coach wrong to link concussion and choke tackle'

Earlier today Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards suggested that the choke tackle should be ou...



'Wales defence coach wrong...
Rugby

'Wales defence coach wrong to link concussion and choke tackle'

Earlier today Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards suggested that the choke tackle should be outlawed from rugby, making links with concussion.

But former Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan and ex-Ireland and Leinster man Trevor Hogan believe Edwards is wrong about a tactic used effectively by Joe Schmidt's team. 

"He's trying to lump in concussion with it and that's why I'm not a fan of what he's saying. Concussion is a major issue but I can't think of someone going in for a choke tackle where they've actually got concussed. That's disingenuous what he's doing there," said Trevor on Off The Ball tonight.

"A choke tackle, properly executed, you're still hitting well below the head, you're hitting the chest area and you're tagging the ball. You're just holding the player up so there's no contact with the head."   

Eddie also agreed with Trevor, feeling there is a "flawed logic" and "red herring" to what Edwards said, adding that you cannot tackle low in the modern game anymore. 

Moving onto criticisms of the another aspect of the sport, Eddie sees there is a problem with the managing of the scrum.

"People forget that when the scrum started, there were no looseheads or tightheads," he explained, analysing the changes to the scrum and how "it's become controlled in the engagement".

Trevor suggested that assistants with backgrounds as props could help referees make decisions related to the scrum.

Trevor and Eddie also cast their eye over the provinces' performances in the Pro 12 and thinks Connacht's victory over Newport Dragons "augurs well" in their quest for a place in the Top 6.

The lads also looked ahead to Ireland's Six Nations match against England.

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