Tackles above the sternum will be outlawed at the World Under-20s Championship in Georgia next summer as the possibility of a lowering of the maximum tackle height across the elite game moves a step closer.
Over the past two seasons, the height limit on legal tackles has already been dropped from shoulder to sternum in the community game in 11 countries around the world.
Analysis of almost 150,000 tackles since the change has demonstrated varying decreases in the number of concussions and also that tacklers are dropping their body height in response to the law shift.
“Player welfare is at the heart of everything World Rugby does,” said chairman Brett Robinson.
“We’ll leave no stone left unturned in our efforts to make the game as safe as it can be. Having said that, protecting what makes rugby, rugby is a vital part of my role.
“We’ll undertake this trial, study it closely to ensure we have a game and an Under-20 Championship that excites players and fans alike.”
The new lower tackle height does not apply when an attacking player “picks and goes” around a breakdown or the base of a scrum, or when they are in the act of scoring.
Ball carriers will be penalised if they lead with their head, making a legal tackle difficult to effect, in other areas of the game.
If a tackler hits above the sternum, but below the head, play will proceed with the attacking team having an advantage.
21 April 2023
While there were positive reports from England and France around the way the law change had opened up the game, World Rugby’s overall analysis across 11 different unions showed only minor changes in the number of offloads, kicks and the flow of the game overall.
World Rugby vice-chair and former England full-back Jonathan Webb believes that a full roll-out, rather than another limited trial, would be the next step to consider if the laws work well at the under-20 World Championship,
“If this is successful and shows good metrics and positive outcomes, the question is whether we take that into the elite game,” he said.
“That is going to be a big decision, but my own feeling is that it will have to be an all or nothing.
Tackles above the sternum will be outlawed at the World Under-20s Championship in Georgia next summer as the possibility of a lowering of the maximum tackle height across the elite game moves a step closer.
Over the past two seasons, the height limit on legal tackles has already been dropped from shoulder to sternum in the community game in 11 countries around the world.
Analysis of almost 150,000 tackles since the change has demonstrated varying decreases in the number of concussions and also that tacklers are dropping their body height in response to the law shift.
“Player welfare is at the heart of everything World Rugby does,” said chairman Brett Robinson.
“We’ll leave no stone left unturned in our efforts to make the game as safe as it can be. Having said that, protecting what makes rugby, rugby is a vital part of my role.
“We’ll undertake this trial, study it closely to ensure we have a game and an Under-20 Championship that excites players and fans alike.”
The new lower tackle height does not apply when an attacking player “picks and goes” around a breakdown or the base of a scrum, or when they are in the act of scoring.
Ball carriers will be penalised if they lead with their head, making a legal tackle difficult to effect, in other areas of the game.
If a tackler hits above the sternum, but below the head, play will proceed with the attacking team having an advantage.
21 April 2023
While there were positive reports from England and France around the way the law change had opened up the game, World Rugby’s overall analysis across 11 different unions showed only minor changes in the number of offloads, kicks and the flow of the game overall.
World Rugby vice-chair and former England full-back Jonathan Webb believes that a full roll-out, rather than another limited trial, would be the next step to consider if the laws work well at the under-20 World Championship,
“If this is successful and shows good metrics and positive outcomes, the question is whether we take that into the elite game,” he said.
“That is going to be a big decision, but my own feeling is that it will have to be an all or nothing.
Strictly Come Dancing presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman became emotional during their final appearance in the Claudatorium last weekend, ahead of their impending exit
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Angela Scanlon with her Strictly Come Dancing partner Carlos Gu
Strictly Come Dancing star Angela Scanlon has given a cryptic response to speculation about becoming the new host of the BBC programme. Earlier this year, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed that the current series would be their final one, after presenting together for more than a decade.
During their last appearance in the Clauditorium last weekend, the duo became emotional when the four judges surprised them with a special tribute. The presenting pair were treated to a touching video montage featuring their greatest moments over the years, and tears flowed as Craig Revel Horwood delivered some heartfelt words.
“We just want to tell you how much we’re going to miss you and how much we love you to bits,” he shared.
He then joked: “I personally, want to say thank you Clauds for the dresses and the shoes you’ve thrown my way, and to you Tess, for all the pizza parties in your dressing room.”
Following their departure announcement, numerous high-profile figures have been tipped as possible successors, with Angela among them. The 41-year-old is familiar with the programme, having taken part in the 2023 series alongside professional dancer Carlos Gu.
Speaking about her elimination on Strictly: It Takes Two at the time, the presenter was visibly upset. Reflecting on her favourite moments with spin-off host Fleur East, she explained: “Charleston, week three and top of the leaderboard – this kind of took us totally by surprise and it was so joyful and glorious.
“The Argentine Tango in Blackpool, for me, which is possibly why this stings so much to come a week later.”
In her recent interview with The Metro, the former contestant was quizzed about Richard Osman suggesting her for the presenting role.
“Richard is amazing and to be uttered in the same breath as Tess and Claudia, who I admire so much? It’s phenomenal,” she said.
Speaking previously to The Sun about the subject, Angela praised the Strictly hosts for having “the most amazing dynamic”, a connection she described as “really important”.
“So there’s, you know, lots of different things to play for, but I would certainly answer the call,” she added.
Angela’s name has been floated alongside several others including Zoe Ball, Alan Carr, Alex Jones and Bradley Walsh.
Zoe was previously part of the Strictly Come Dancing family, first appearing as a contestant before moving on to host Strictly: It Takes Two.
During the 2014 series, she also co-presented the main show with Tess, standing in for Claudia for one weekend.
Last week, she revealed she will be leaving her BBC Radio 2 show after just seven months – seemingly freeing up time for a possible new role.
In her statement, she shared: “I have loved being betwixt my dear friends Romesh [Ranganathan] and Rylan [Clark], and you know, I love you all to bits, but I’m not disappearing completely.
“Obviously, it’ll be Christmas Crooners and I’m doing an eras show in the new year.”
Zoe confirmed she will be succeeded by Emma Willis, who has fronted numerous programmes including Big Brother and The Voice.
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While rumours continue to swirl about who might replace Tess and Claudia, Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, recently made it clear that no final decisions will be taken until next year.
Speaking on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, she said: “The production team, BBC Studios, and Executive Producer Sarah James and her team are concentrating on getting two shows out a week.
Far-right candidate Jose Antonio Kast has won a run-off election to become Chile’s 38th president, ousting the centre-left government currently in power. Al Jazeera’s Lucia Newman has been with supporters celebrating in the capital Santiago.
Fans have said it is the “best news ever” as they say it explains ‘so much’
celebrated drag queens Ginger Johnson won the reality American series season 5 back in 2023 and quickly rose to fame. She has even been seen in the MasterChef kitchen.
But now, the star has announced a new career move as fans praise the “best news ever”. Following the explosive success of her smash hit 2024 tour Ginger Johnson Blows Off!, the star is back on the road with her brand new live spectacular show, Show Pony.
Ginger said: “In between whipping up a storm in the MasterChef kitchen, I’ve been busy cooking my brand new live show and I can’t wait to dish it out in theatres up and down the UK in 2026 and beyond.”
The Africa Cup of Nations, commonly known as AFCON, will be held in Morocco this year and kicks off in the capital, Rabat, on Sunday.
Host nation Morocco take on Comoros in the opening match of the four week tournament.
The final will be held on January 18 at the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Nine venues across six cities have been selected for the continental showpiece event.
The 24 participating teams have been drawn into six groups, with 68 matches in total.
The group stage will run until December 31, with the knockout stage starting on January 3.
Here are the details on the teams, groups, format, match fixtures, kickoff times and venues for AFCON 2025:
Teams and groups
⚽ Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros ⚽ Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe ⚽ Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania ⚽ Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana ⚽ Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan ⚽ Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
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Format
The top two teams of each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, beginning with the round of 16. That is followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final. There is also a third-place playoff between the two losing semifinalists.
In the knockout stages, if a match is level at the end of normal playing time, teams will play 30 minutes of extra time and, if required, a penalty shootout.
Egypt are the most successful team in Africa with a record seven AFCON titles, though they last won the trophy in 2010 [File: Amr Nabil/AP]
Match schedule
⚽ Group Stage
December 21
Group A: Morocco vs Comoros (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 8pm/19:00 GMT)
December 22
Group A: Mali vs Zambia (Stade Mohammed V, 3:30pm/14:30 GMT)
Group B: Egypt vs Zimbabwe (Adrar Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group B: South Africa vs Angola (Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
December 23
Group C: Nigeria vs Tanzania (Fez Stadium, 1pm/12:00 GMT)
Group C: Tunisia vs Uganda (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 3:30pm/14:30 GMT)
Group D: Senegal vs Botswana (Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group D: DR Congo vs Benin (Al Barid Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
December 24
Group E: Algeria vs Sudan (Moulay Hassan Stadium, 1pm/12:00 GMT)
Group E: Burkina Faso vs Equatorial Guinea (Stade Mohammed V, 3:30pm/14:30 GMT)
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Mozambique (Marrakesh Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group F: Cameroon vs Gabon(Adrar Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
Rest day on Christmas
December 26
Group A: Morocco vs Mali (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 1pm/12:00 GMT)
Group A: Zambia vs Comoros (Stade Mohammed V, 3:30pm/14:30 GMT)
Group B: Egypt vs South Africa (Adrar Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group B: Angola vs Zimbabwe (Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
December 27
Group C: Nigeria vs Tunisia (Fez Stadium, 1pm/12:00 GMT)
Group C: Uganda vs Tanzania (Al Barid Stadium, 3:30pm/14:30 GMT)
Group D: Senegal vs DR Congo (Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group D: Benin vs Botswana (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
December 28
Group E: Algeria vs Burkina Faso (Moulay Hassan Stadium, 1pm/12:00 GMT)
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan (Stade Mohammed V, 3:30pm/14:30 GMT)
Group F: Ivory Coast vs Cameroon (Marrakesh Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group F: Gabon vs Mozambique (Adrar Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
December 29
Group A: Comoros vs Mali (Stade Mohammed V, 6:30pm/17:30 GMT)
Group A: Zambia vs Morocco (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 6:30pm/17:30 GMT)
Group B: Angola vs Egypt (Adrar Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
Group B: Zimbabwe vs South Africa (Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
December 30
Group C: Tanzania vs Tunisia (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group C: Uganda vs Nigeria (Fez Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group D: Benin vs Senegal (Ibn Batouta Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
Group D: Botswana vs DR Congo (Al Barid Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
December 31
Group E: Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria (Moulay Hassan Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group E: Sudan vs Burkina Faso (Stade Mohammed V, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Group F: Gabon vs Ivory Coast (Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
Group F: Mozambique vs Cameroon (Adrar Stadium, 8:30pm/19:30 GMT)
Rest days on January 1 and 2
External view of the 69,500-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which will be used for the AFCON final on January 18 [Emre Asikci/Anadolu via Getty Images]
⚽ Round of 16
January 3
Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F (Ibn Batouta Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C (Stade Mohammed V, 8:30pm local/19:30 GMT)
January 4
Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/D/E (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Runner-up Group B vs Runner-up Group F (Al Barid Stadium, 8:30pm local/19:30 GMT)
January 5
Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/C/D (Adrar Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Winner Group C vs 3rd Group A/B/F (Fez Stadium, 8:30pm local/19:30 GMT)
January 6
Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group D (Moulay Hassan Stadium, 6pm/17:00 GMT)
Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E (Marrakesh Stadium, 8:30pm local/19:30 GMT)
