England and Bath fly-half George Ford insists it would be wrong to stop tackling in school rugby.
News emerged on Wednesday that more than 70 doctors and health experts had written to the Government calling for a ban in games at that level.
But Ford told the Times: "Not for one minute do I think that tackling should be taken out of the game.
"Coaches out there in the grassroots game are good enough to coach good technique. Tackling should stay. It is a massive part of the game and is what makes it exciting."
The open letter -- addressed to ministers, chief medical officers and children's commissioners -- described rugby as a "high-impact collision sport" and warned of a high risk of serious injury among under-18s. It also suggested schools should move to touch rugby and non-contact rugby.
Ford added: "Whatever level you play at, you are going to have people who are bigger and physically stronger and probably faster than others. That's what makes the game so special.
"And the satisfaction of when you do tackle one of those big guys, when you do manage to handle yourself with a bit of technique against one of them, is a great feeling. You can always get them back by running round them.
"Rugby has a lot of core values that are great. For kids especially: being part of a team, team spirit, coming together and playing a contact sport."