World Rugby Council Advances 20-minute Red Card to Global Law Trial In Elite Competitions

The World Rugby Council has approved the global trial of the 20-minute red card in elite rugby competitions following what they deemed were extensive reviews of successful closed trials conducted for the past year.

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.”

What Is The 20-minute Red Card?

The 20-minute red card in rugby aims to “maintain the spectacle and competitive integrity of matches” said World Rugby, and the approved trials will be implemented in all elite competitions before any final decision on permanent adoption in 2026 is made

Under the trial, a player who commits foul play that is not deemed deliberate or intentional will receive a red card and be permanently removed from the game.

• Their team may return to a full complement after 20 minutes by bringing on one of their available replacements.
• Referees will retain the authority to issue a full and permanent red card for any foul play considered deliberate and highly dangerous.
• Two yellow cards will constitute a 20-minute red card, unless the second offence meets the threshold for a full red card.

The 20-minute red card will make its Rugby World Cup debut at the women’s event in England and in the U20 Championship in June 2025, hosted in Italy.

Other World Rugby Council Decisions – May 2025

Photo Credit – World Rugby

World Rugby Council also approved a closed trial of a centralised disciplinary process, allowing for quicker and more consistent decision-making.

Also, from 2025, all law trials in the men’s game will begin on 1 August each year, ensuring that all international matches are played under the same set of laws and trials regardless of where in the world they are played.

Topics discussed by the council were:

•  Pillars of a new strategic plan  
• Rugby World Cup 2025  
• Rugby World Cup 2027 preparation  
• USA growth strategy progress  
• Law trials and game innovation  
• Player welfare

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