It may have been that there were fewer game as the tournament progressed, it may have been that the quality of the teams and coaching improved in the knockout stages, or it may have been that coaches told players to tackle lower or get dropped from the squad.

Good to see that as the stakes have got higher teams have been ultra careful around high tackles and dangerous hits in comparison to the pool stages #RWCFinal #ENGvRSA
— Adam Redmond (@AdamRedmond) November 2, 2019

Either way, the problem seems to have largely gone. Rugby adapts quickly and we should probably remember this before the next law change takes place and game is once again being ‘ruined’.

Paul’s Picks – Guinness PRO14 R6

Connacht v Leinster – Away win

Edinburgh v Dragons – Home win

Ospreys v Isuzu Southern Kings – Home win

Zebre v Glasgow Warriors – Away win

Cardiff Blues v Toyota Cheetahs – Away win

Munster v Ulster – Home win

Scarlets v Benetton – Home win

For each round of the Guinness PRO14, Paul will aim to predict the winners of all seven games – but if you think you can do better why don’t you prove it? Download the Guinness PRO14 app on the Google Play Store or App Store and play the predictor game now where you can win great prizes, including a trip to hospitality for the Final in Cardiff on June 20.