Quilter Nations Series -Ireland v South Africa
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 22 November Kick-off: 17:40 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Ulster; live text updates on BBC Sport website and app
Ireland wing James Lowe says changes to rugby union rules surrounding contestable high balls have "brought a bit of a different dynamic to the game".
The focus of the new rules has been making the high-ball contest more open, improving player safety by reducing dangerous tackles and penalising players who illegally block or escort opponents from getting to the ball.
Speaking to reporters before Saturday's Test against South Africa in Dublin, Lowe said the guidelines had made preparation and decision-making in "that massive facet of the game incredibly tougher".
"With the way the game is being refereed now it's completely different. The high ball, the contestable in the air, is completely different to what it was the last time we played against South Africa," reflected the 33-year-old.
"A thing we used to call 'the cradle', which was pretty much protecting the catcher so he could get a clean catch, there were about six lads protecting you to go up and try to win a high ball, now obviously that has changed and it has brought a bit of a different dynamic to the game.
"Obviously almost every contestable kick there's a collision in the air that you've got to worry about, there's trying to not knock it on, trying to win it cleanly.
"It's the way the game's going, we're doing a lot more in training, there's a lot more live contest in the air because you have to replicate it somehow."
The Leinster back explained that advice had been sought from gaelic footballers and Australian Rules players, for whom challenging for high balls is an integral part of their respective sports.
"We're talking to the GAA boys, and the AFL guys when we're in Australia too, trying to pick up a few things because obviously that's their bread and butter.
"Ninety five per cent of the time there's going to be a collision in the air so obviously timing is massive, trying to get knees higher than theirs, arms higher than theirs.
"It's tough. It has probably taken that skillset further and further and a lot of it is not only the battle in the air, it's the battle on the ground too."