20-min red card replacement approved for elite game Global Law Trial

• World Rugby’s Council has approved the global trial of the 20-minute red card replacement in elite competitions.
• 20-minute red card replacement to be used in all elite competitions including Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 and U20 Championship
• Measure has successfully operated in a number of closed law trials at international and elite club level
• Single set of laws for all global game with any future trials coming in from 1 August

After an aborted attempt last year, World Rugby’s Council has today approved a global trial of the 20-minute red card in the elite game. The decision follows a series of closed trials across international and elite club rugby over the past year. The World Rugby trial is only for professional and elite rugby, but doesn’t include the community game, although New Zealand Rugby is trialing it too as a domestic law variation.

Red card is still a red card

Under the global law trial, a player who commits foul play that is not deemed deliberate or intentional will still receive a red card and be permanently removed from the game. However, their team may return to a full complement 20 minutes later by bringing on one of their available replacements. This ensures that individual players – not the contest as a whole – bear the consequence of reckless actions.

Full red still available for match officials

Importantly, referees will retain the ability to issue a full and permanent red card (ie no replacement) for any foul play considered deliberate and highly dangerous which should be obvious to all on either a live basis, or using one or two replays via the TMO. Things like stamping, punching, gouging, kicking, targetting lower limbs etc will be included.

Double yellow = 20min red

Two yellow cards will lead to a 20 minute red card, unless the second offence is a stand alone full red card offence.

The 20-minute red card will join the suite of global law trials already in effect and will make its Rugby World Cup debut at the women’s event in England this August as well as being used in the U20 Championship in June.

Could be pulled if risk goes up

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said, “Our mission is to ensure rugby is a compelling sport to play and watch. The 20-minute red card preserves the fairness and drama of elite competition by punishing the individual, not the entire team or the spectacle.

“Player welfare is non-negotiable. We monitor data around head injuries, tackle height, and concussion rigorously – and transparently. If evidence ever indicated this trial posed greater risk, we would end it immediately.”

Single laws for international rugby – any future trials from 1 August

The Council also approved a measure so that from 2025, all law trials will begin on 1 August each year, ensuring that all international matches are played under the same set of law and trials regardless of where in the world they are played.