I have watched Wigan every time they have been on TV this season and it seems to me they have three players in at most every tackle two up top and then one coming in slightly later round the lower legs . No matter what angle the lower player comes in at this is when a lot of injuries occur. Although its not illegal on many occasions its not called for. Tough sport but some players and coaches make it more dangerous than necessary.

What do you suggest is done to sort it out? I agree with you btw. It's like the game has reached a crossroads where ruck speed has become the be all and end all. It never used to be like that and it used to be a better spectacle with more variation in play. I may sound like a dinosaur but I prefer the more open and entertaining style than the grind the game has become in many cases.

I would say the way the game has evolved has brought this about. The 10m rule means that the ball carrier has to be controlled to allow defences back onside and to slow the PTB. In the old days of the 5m rule play the balls were quicker because people could get back onside.

Or if you keep the 10m maybe allow far less time for tackles to be completed or not allow more than 2 tacklers in at any one time.

Possibly again reduce the number of subs so that more gaps appear and players have less strength for all the wrestling garbage?

Then again do we really need wholesale rule changes? Cas have shown they can play entertaining rugby without the cynical stuff. Perhaps we're seeing the beginnings of a change of ethos in RL from the Maguire/Wane style to something better? If Cas win things playing like this it will force others to follow. People eagerly followed the cynical Wigan style because it was effective. It's not in the NRL and we're perhaps seeing the same here now.

The answer is with the referees to shout 'held' sooner than at present. The third man comes in low when one or possibly two players are struggling up top with the tackled player and referees allow this to go on for seconds, giving time for the third man to go below - legally most times! Silverwood (when he was around) was the worst offender.

Good point. Often the "held" call comes just as they pull the ball carrier down and then that leads to another 3 or 4 seconds while they all peel off.

But the ref shouldn't shout held if the player is still struggling forward. He robs them of a few metres or a chance of an overload because he's winning the tackle.

Perhaps limiting tacklers to two would be an idea. Would provide more off-loads and we'd see more grunt and reward good forwards.

Like with most things in RL, the rules don't need changing, just applying properly. If those sorts of tackles were punished consistently and bans received accordingly then people would soon stop doing it. Acton was only banned for one game for a cannonball on Fifita the other week, plus the referee didn't even penalise him at the time!