The England prop said: "I think the fact our game after all this time still changes rules year to year is berserk, particularly when we're speaking about making it palatable for new people to come in. I think it's mental but I assume they're trying to refine it for the best."

Two notable incidents have already emerged in recent weeks, bringing the matter back into conversation amid widespread confusion.

The first occurred during Sale Sharks' Premiership clash with Harlequins, when referee Christophe Ridley was forced to reverse a decision after initially penalising a suspected hip-drop tackle.

Ridley had identified a tackle involving Sale fly-half George Ford and Harlequins forward Chandler Cunningham-South as a violation under the forthcoming law.

But Sale captain Ernst van Rhyn said that the new regulation had not yet come into effect, prompting the official to reverse his ruling.

He then clarified that the offence would be sanctioned once the new regulation took effect on November 1.

The matter was also brought to attention during New Zealand's Bledisloe Cup fixture against Australia on October 10.

All Blacks winger Leroy Carter sustained an injury after being tackled by Wallabies forward Rob Valetini in the 67th minute of their match at Eden Park.

Valetini approached from behind and seemed to drop his body weight onto Carter's lower legs as the New Zealander was attempting to score.

Carter was visibly distressed and needed help to exit the pitch, with the full severity of his injury initially unknown. New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie later likened the incident to a hip-drop tackle.

"It didn't look good. Sort of like a hip-drop type tackle, landed on the back of his ankle," he said.

The incident occurred merely three days after World Rugby revealed its decision to ban the technique, though the new rule was not scheduled to come into force until November 1.

World Rugby has defended the amendment on player-welfare grounds, citing research that emphasises the risk of serious lower-limb injuries.

The new regulation specifically addresses scenarios where a defender grabs an opponent from the side or behind, rotates around or through them and drives their hips or bodyweight down onto the ball carrier's legs as they are taken to ground.

While a penalty represents the minimum punishment, more severe instances can lead to yellow or red cards.

England head coach Steve Borthwick has recognised the difficulty but told his team to adapt swiftly.

He reflected: "I don't think we can argue against anything that protects the players who play this intense game. What we've got to be is the quickest team to adjust."