Six Nations to use 20-minute red cards for first time
The 20-minute red card will be used for the first time in this year’s Six Nations.
The trial took place at the Autumn Nations Cup in November and has been extended to this year’s men’s, women’s and under-20 championships.
Lawmakers said the 20-minute red card was intended to “punish the player rather than the team” and that the team could replace a player sent off after 20 minutes.
The men’s Six Nations begins on Friday, January 31, with France taking on Wales in Paris.
While referees can still award a full and permanent red card for “intentional and dangerous foul conduct”, the 20-minute red card constitutes a significant change in Rugby League’s disciplinary procedures.
The crackdown on head contact has been ongoing since January 2017, with some of the sport’s most important recent matches marred by red cards.
The losers in the past two Rugby World Cup finals – England Women against New Zealand in 2022 and the All Blacks against South Africa in the Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2023 – have played with 14 players for much of the match, with Bath in 2022 The same was true when they were defeated by Northampton in 2016. Last year’s Premier League final.
Six Nations head of rugby Julie said: “Throughout the tournament, everyone has worked together to ensure we are exploring new and innovative ways to make the game as safe as possible, while also working to enhance viewing for fans and players. experience.” Patterson.
There will also be two global legal trials taking place during the 2025 Championship, with scrum halves getting more protection on a ruck, maul and scrum basis, while non-straight throws will not be protected during uncontested lineouts. be punished.
Reduced changeover times and quicker formation of scrums and lineouts (introduced in the autumn) will also continue in all three championships, with referees also broadcasting key decisions over the public address system for the benefit of fans in stadiums.
