Controversial 20-minute red cards, with a tweak, to feature in the November Tests along with shot clocks and NFL-style ref mics (original) (raw)
Six Nations Rugby has confirmed that several law variations and trials will be in place during the Autumn Nations Series, including the controversial 20-minute red card.
The law tweaks come after World Rugby confirmed that several new amendments including the reduced conversion time and a 30-second limit at the scrum and lineout – will all be in place for the end-of-year Tests.
The variations that will feature in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series have been selected from the wider package of opt-in law variations introduced by World Rugby.
20-minute red card
On Friday, Six Nations Rugby released a statement confirming that the 20-minute red card will be implemented during the November internationals but the referees will still be able to issue a permanent red card.
In the event that the official issues a 20-minute red card to a player, they will not be able to return to the field but their team will spend 20 minutes with one fewer player on the pitch before the sin-binned player is replaced.
“Referees will retain the ability to award a permanent red card for foul play, deemed to be deliberate and dangerous,” the statement read.
“However, this November, referees will have the option to award a 20-minute red card for technical offences. This variation on the law trial will run throughout the Autumn Nation Series and differs to the standalone 20-minute red card proposal due to be discussed by the wider game later this year.
“The red card variation ensures that players deemed to commit deliberate and dangerous offences receive the full sanctioning, and subsequent disciplinary process, with the team being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game.”
It is understood that Australia and New Zealand are in favour of the 20-minute red cards being implemented permanently, but earlier this week France issued a strong statement expressing their “firm opposition” to the law change which they dubbed as an “unacceptable step backwards”. Ireland have a since followed suit with a statement of their own.
The Six Nations Rugby statement continued: “The 20-minute red card element will relate to an act of foul play which is not deliberate or intentional. In these circumstances, the player will be removed from the field of play for the remainder of the game, with the offending team able to replace that player after 20 minutes, with one of their available replacements taking the team back to 15 players.”
NFL-Style mic
In a less controversial move, fans will have the benefit of a referee mic that will be trialled during the Autumn Nations Series.
This will allow the referees to go ‘on mic’ to explain their decision or key moments in the game for the benefit of those in the stadium and watching at home via the broadcast coverage.
This has been used previously in Super Rugby Pacific with rather positive success.
IRFU latest union to oppose 20-minute red card trial which goes against ‘core values’
Shot clocks
As was the case in the 2024 Rugby Championship, shot clocks will be in place for scrums, lineouts and place kicks as well.
Kickers will now have only 60 seconds to complete a conversion, with the time starting straight after a try is scored. If a player exceeds this time limit the conversion kick shall be disallowed. 60 seconds will also be allocated for a penalty kick at goal, starting from the time the referee is informed of the decision to take the kick at goal option. If the penalty attempt times out, a scrum is awarded to the non-kicking team at the place of the penalty.
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Meanwhile, a scrum must now be set within 30 seconds of the referee making their mark for the set-piece or a free-kick will be given against the team deemed to be causing the delay.
Finally, a lineout must be formed within 30 seconds of the assistant referee signalling the mark for a lineout or a free-kick will be awarded on the 15-metre line against the team deemed to be causing the delay.
“Everyone in rugby understands that there is a huge opportunity to capture the attention of a far broader audience, alongside catering for its existing and passionate fanbase,” Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said.
“The law trials are just one step towards exploring this opportunity, and the trials running through the Autumn Nations Series will hopefully enhance the experience for fans, whilst helping explain some of the decisions taken ‘live’ and to embrace but also explain the nuances that are part of what make rugby so unique and special.
“No trial or subsequent change is considered without utter confidence that player safety and welfare is front and centre though. First and foremost, we need to look after the players and their interests, and the trials we have opted to use this November deliver on this commitment.”
READ MORE: ‘The 20-minute red card is nonsense’ – Ronan O’Gara slams World Rugby proposal