The Irish management and captain Brian O'Driscoll have admitted that the new interpretations of the tackle law have been implemented indelicately in the Six Nations, stating that increasing the focus in the tackle area has only occurred "mid-championship."

The Rebel Sport Super 14 introduced stricter interpretations of the tackle area, and did so via well publicised channels, with media, players and supporters well aware of the new applications.

This was done for a specific reason - to promote attacking rugby.

Lyndon Bray, SANZAR’s referee’s boss, was specific about the different approach. There were no changes as such, just a stricter view to both the tackle law and scrum engagement. Effectively it was designed to give the tackled player a little more protection.

Most applauded this, with some consensus being that the game had become too defensively orientated.

However some analysts in the North believe that the approach and new construal of the law, especially in regard to Law 15 (the tackle) has only been applied mid championship.

Ireland in their match against Wales were penalised 16 times. Nine times they were pinged at the tackle area, and two of those were against Captain Brian O’Driscoll.

There has clearly been a different focus, or at the very least a statistical trend that supports stricter enforcing of the laws. In round one there was 50 penalties blown in all three matches. In round three there were 60, and last week there were 68.

In round four, when it seemed clear that the sides were being watched more closely when affecting a tackle, an astonishing 32 penalties were conceded in the three games at the tackle and ruck area.

While some Six Nations sides are confused about this “sudden change” the IRB has stated that there has been no amendment or revision mid championship. There was reference to the IRB’s referee meetings in November of last year (held in London) where there was conformity regarding stricter diligence to the laws areas.

It is clear that the Super 14 has been the first competition to universally accept these new laws interpretations.

Ireland expressed their frustration via Irish manger Paul McNaughton, who spoke to the Irish times.

“The replies we’re getting are that it’s not a new law. We know that. They’re saying that the emphasis on this law was discussed after the November series. And there definitely was a briefing to the teams before the Super 14, letting them know that this law would be policed more strictly,” McNaughton said.

“The issue we had was that a similar approach wasn’t taken here. In the short-term, we would have adapted even if we didn’t agree with it. We would have had three weeks or so before the championship started to prepare. It’s not satisfactory that it has happened mid-championship.”

Ireland will now look to get on with business.

However, with the exception of their opening match against Italy, Ireland have been on the wrong side of every penalty count, losing (based on penalties given), 10-7 to France, 14-7 to England and 16-10 to Wales.

Brian O’Driscoll stood by Ireland’s statement that the laws had been applied halfway through the current Six Nations championship.

"There's no point in crying about it, though ideally you'd prefer something not to be changed midway through a tournament," he said.

"This is the way it's panned out and we'll have to deal with it like every other team in the competition.”

"Old habits die hard but it's our responsibility as professionals to make sure we correct the mistakes we made last weekend. We've been practising this week and looking at the video to make sure it doesn't happen again."

O’Driscoll and Irish team management said that the new interpretation was a massive change in the way that the game will be played in the future.

"The change in emphasis negates the strength of every team," O’Driscoll, who will play in his 101st test match against Scotland.

"When you've put many years into honing one skill and all of a sudden it's changed you have to go and practice a new skill. Now the rules have changed. Now we all have to poach balls in a different way."

THE LAW AS IT STANDS

15.4 THE TACKLER

(a) When a player tackles an opponent and they both go to ground, the tackler must
immediately release the tackled player.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(b) The tackler must immediately get up or move away from the tackled player and from the
ball at once.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(c) The tackler must get up before playing the ball and then may play the ball from any
direction.
Sanction: Penalty kick

15.5 THE TACKLED PLAYER

(a) A tackled player must not lie on, over, or near the ball to prevent opponents from gaining
possession of it, and must try to make the ball available immediately so that play can continue.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(b) A tackled player must immediately pass the ball or release it. That player must also get up
or move away from it at once.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(c) A tackled player may release the ball by putting it on the ground in any direction, provided this is done immediately.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(d) A tackled player may release the ball by pushing it along the ground in any direction except forward, provided this is done immediately.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(e) If opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the tackled player must release the ball.
Sanction: Penalty kick
(f) If a tackled player’s momentum carries the player into the in-goal, the player can score a try or make a touch down.
(g) If a player is tackled near the goal line, that player may immediately reach out and ground the ball on or over the goal line to score a try or make a touch down.