Six Nations change sparks backlash amid Nigel Owens doubt (original) (raw)

These are your evening rugby headlines on Wednesday, October 9.

Six Nations change sparks backlash

World Rugby has received a major backlash after announcing that 20-minute red cards have been recommended for a global trial.

On Tuesday, the governing body confirmed the move amid a series of proposals which are "aimed at enhancing both the fan and player experience", with next year's Six Nations set to feature the trialled alteration.

However, while some of the proposals - including reducing the time allowed for conversions and setting up scrums and lineouts - have been welcomed, others - including the controversial red card law - have been slammed by the rugby public.

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The red card law would see teams reduced to 14 men for 20 minutes, rather than the entirety of the rest of the game, before being allowed to replace them. While the move is designed to punish the individual, not the team, it has been criticised by fans, players former referees alike as potentially damaging for the global game.

"So basically, you could have four players sent off [and] finish the game with 15 and most probably win that game," wrote former Wales international Lee Jarvis. "Every season, there are rafts of changes, I can't keep up and losing slight interest at the top level. Feel sorry for the players in a way."

“No-one wants or likes 20 minute red cards. It was trialled at the U20s and it was a bloody joke,” wrote another angry fan, while rugby analyst Will Owen added: “Moving forward with the 20 minute red card is a genuinely backwards idea, and the decision to not put player safety first could really bite World Rugby on the arse when the concussion lawsuit hits them."

Legendary former referee Nigel Owens has also followed ex-ref Mathieu Raynal in criticising the move, writing in his recent WalesOnline column: "As far as the 20-minute red card idea is concerned, I’m not a fan. As (former Test referee) Mathieu (Raynal) has said, I don’t believe it will really solve any of the problems that we have in the game at the moment.

“If someone on the pitch has committed a red card offence, they should be given a red card that sees them sin-binned for the rest of the game. Simple as that.”

The proposed law changes will go out to union and region consultation ahead of the World Rugby Council meeting on 14 November, with the recommendation they are then used in all competitions from next year's Six Nations.

Dragons in fitness boost

The Dragons are set to welcome back full-back Angus O'Brien ahead of their URC clash with the Lions on Sunday.

The 30-year-old was withdrawn minutes into the second half of his side's last-gasp defeat to the Sharks at Rodney Parade last weekend, following a collision with opposite number Jordan Hendrikse.

However, while coach Dai Flanagan said after the match that O'Brien had failed a head injury assessment, that turned out to not be the case and he is now in line to feature again this weekend.

“Angus is fine, it was a bit of whiplash and a problem around his neck,” Flanagan told the South Wales Argus. “He has passed all his HIA tests, he just couldn’t get back on the field.

“We are really pleased that he is fine because post-match I didn’t have clarity and was concerned after he couldn’t return. Angus is back, running around and will stay off the contact. As long as he comes through training he will be fine for Sunday.”

In other welcome news for Flanagan, tighthead Leon Brown is back in the fold after recovering from illness while flanker Harri Keddie is also back in training following a back issue and lock Steve Cummins is nearing a return from a broken hand.

Former English giants plot comeback

London Irish could be playing in the English Championsip next season after its prospective new owners reportedly submitted an application for the club to join the expanded league.

The second tier of English rugby is set to increase from 12 clubs up to 14, with the Rugby Football Union asking interested clubs to submit expressions of interest by October 13.

London Irish were suspended from the Premiership after they fell into administration last summer, with their collapse following the downfall of both Wasps and Worcester Warriors. All three clubs have now registered their interest in a Championship place for the 2025/25 season, with London Irish officially putting their name forward on Wednesday.

The Times report that an expression of interest was submitted on behalf of London Irish by investment firm Hokulani Ltd, which is the preferred bidder for the club and has reportedly tabled a bid worth more than £20million.

There is opposition to the move, with critics arguing that it goes against the precedent set by the likes of London Scottish and London Welsh, who all fell further down the pyramid when they hit financial difficulties and had to work their way back up.

Speaking recently about the proposed move, Daniel Loitz, the director of Hokulani, said: “I can imagine that some rugby fans, as I have seen, are critical of the possibility of London Irish and others coming back and that the pyramid system would supposedly be undermined."

“I respect this opinion, but we need powerhouses like London Irish to take this wonderful sport of rugby forward. We cannot allow things to continue as they are, both commercially and in terms of talent development. We need to reorient ourselves and take new paths without losing our traditions.”

England 'A' coach named

By PA Sport Staff

Mark Mapletoft has been named head coach of England 'A' for their fixture against Australia 'A' at The Stoop on November 17.

Mapletoft currently oversees the national Under 20's having spent a decade as part of Harlequins' backroom staff and will be assisted by Andy Titterrell, Nathan Catt, Lee Blackett and Haydn Thomas.

The team to face the Wallabies' second string will be selected by England head coach Steve Borthwick and Conor O'Shea, the Rugby Football Union's executive director of performance rugby.

"It's important that the coaches and I maintain our work alongside Conor O'Shea and Steve to ensure continued development for the best young players in our system," Mapletoft said.

"We want to demonstrate that we have a clear, linear progression for talent from age-grade to the pinnacle of English rugby."