World Rugby to trial 20 minutes red card rule

World Rugby has announced a couple of rule changes with the main one that is going straight into trials being the 20 minute red card rule.

A specialist cross-game working group involving referees, administrators, players and competitions has developed a revised red card sanction process for the elite game, promoting consistency and simplicity, making it easier for players and fans to navigate, while upholding player welfare

Automatic sanctions, involving suspension for set periods, with no mitigation, to be issued for red card sanctions for situations where a player has attempted to make a legal tackle or not attempted to make a legal tackle.

More serious acts of foul play will be considered by disciplinary panel via the usual hearing environment

The closed trials, which will operate at WXV, the Pacific Nations Cup, World Rugby U20 Championship and U20 Trophy this year, will also feature the ability for a red-carded player to be replaced by another player after 20 minutes.

The results of the trials will be considered by the World Rugby Executive Board and Council in November.

World Rugby Chairman, Sir Bill Beaumont says this streamlined off-field sanction process has been designed by the game for the game and comes directly from clear feedback at the Shape of the Game conference that the current rugby disciplinary process needs streamlining to be simpler for players and fans to understand, while upholding welfare and game integrity imperatives.