The IRFU has stated that they do not support the permanent adoption of a 20-minute red card, a rule proposed by World Rugby. Several law changes will be presented at a World Rugby Council meeting next month, the most controversial being the 20-minute red card.
The new law means a red-carded player can be replaced by a substitute after 20 minutes, whereas before, a red card was final and no player could come on.
World Rugby's website stated, "A simplified red card process featuring standardised sanctions and the ability to replace a red-carded player with another player after 20 minutes was also supported for further elite game trialling after successful initial trials in World Rugby competitions."
The proposed rule has already been opposed by both the French Rugby Federation (FFR), the National Rugby League (LNR), and the players' union (Provale).
On Monday, the pair released a joint statement saying, "The red card is an essential tool to deter dangerous behaviour on the field and guarantee the safety of our players," said FFR Vice President Jean-Marc Lhermet.
"Reducing this sanction to a temporary exclusion of 20 minutes would weaken our ability to protect the physical integrity of athletes and to maintain fair play, fundamental values of rugby. We call on World Rugby to reconsider this experiment, ensuring that any decision is based on concrete and convincing data, which is not the case today."
Today, the IRFU has backed their French counterparts by echoing similar sentiments. They believe that changing the red card rule will alter the integrity and values of the game.
IRFU statement on 20-Minute Red Card.
The IRFU does not support the permanent adoption of a 20-minute Red Card.
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… pic.twitter.com/arXUwuZs5l— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 18, 2024
"The IRFU does not support the permanent adoption of a 20-minute red card. 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," said the IRFU on their website.
However, they do support the rule whereby deliberate and dangerous acts of play are met with a permanent red card.
"The IRFU welcomes the variation to World Rugby’s closed-law trial, which will be adopted in the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, whereby match officials will retain the ability to award a permanent red card for acts of foul play deemed deliberate and dangerous, they added.
Although the IRFU is against the 20-minute red card, they are not totally opposed to the rule being used for technical acts of foul play deemed not to be deliberate or intentional.
"Match officials will also have the option of a 20-minute red card for technical acts of foul play deemed not to be deliberate or intentional. In these circumstances, the player will be removed from the field of play, with the offending team able to replace that player after 20 minutes with one of their available replacements, which was also trialled in this year’s Rugby Championship."
The trials will go out for union and region consultation ahead of the World Rugby Council meeting on 14 November. This will be subject to approval by the Council, World Rugby. They will work closely with member unions, competition owners, and key stakeholders to finalise the timeline and processes for trial adoption at a global level. Implementation is expected to start on 1 January.
Law amendments recommended to go to global trial
- Reduced conversion time: Conversion attempts limited to 60 seconds, aligning with penalty kicks and quickening game pace.
- 30-second scrum and lineout limit: Scrums and lineouts must be set within 30 seconds, managed by the referee.
- Marking inside the 22-line: Players can now mark the ball inside the 22-meter line from a restart, encouraging more contestable kick-offs.
- Single-stop mauls: The ball must be played after one stoppage in a maul, improving game flow.
- Play-on in uncontested lineouts: Play will continue if the ball is not thrown straight during uncontested lineouts, reducing unnecessary breaks.
- Protection of the scrum-half: Enhanced protection for the scrum-half at scrums, rucks and mauls encourages fluid open play.
