How new rugby law works in the Six Nations The 20-minute red card has proved popular in Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship and will now be trialled in the Six Nations for the first time.
Upon news of the trail being introduced for the autumn, the IRFU released a statement detailing their opposition to it, saying: “Player welfare and safety are paramount to the core values of the game and the option of a permanent red card for deliberate and intentional acts of foul play supports those values and protects the integrity of the game.”.
Six Nations rugby have confirmed that referees will retain the ability to award a permanent red card for foul play when it is deemed to be deliberate and dangerous.
The 2025 Six Nations will see the 20-minute red card trialled for the first time in the competition as the sport’s authorities try to improve the spectacle for fans and simplify key areas of the game.
Six Nations Rugby say they are “driven by a game-wide commitment to enhance the spectacle for fans, alongside the ambition to simplify the game in key areas, whilst continuing to ensure player safety and welfare standards remain paramount.”.
