RUGBY league could be set for a couple of big rule changes.

These will not be affecting the likes of Bradford Bulls and Keighley Cougars just yet, but that may soon be the case if academy games prove these new ideas to be effective.

Assessing ways to reduce concussions in both rugby codes has been a hot topic for several years, so it is little surprise that one of the modifications involves tackling.

In the trial games, legal tackle height will be reduced to below the armpit at initial contact, with penalisation for contact on the head and neck at any point.

The academy competition will be using the new rules from June 15 to July 30, with the other change involving kick-offs.

Kick-offs will now be taken from 10 metres further forward – on the opposition’s 40-metre line, rather than the halfway line at present.

The reason for this is to hopefully reduce the impact of collisions which often occur from kick-offs.