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The Irish Rugby Football Union has spoken out against World Rugby permanently introducing a 20-minute red card.
Referees will be able to use the option – it was trialled this year – during the Autumn Nations Series, which begins on November 2, when England host New Zealand and Scotland play Fiji.
However, a variant will be available to officials which will retain the ability to award a permanent red card for deliberate and dangerous foul play, which the IRFU welcomes.
They also have the option to award a 20-minute red card for technical infringements, which is different to the standalone 20-minute red card proposal due to be discussed in the wider game in mid-November.
The red card variant ensures that players found to commit deliberate and dangerous offenses receive the full sanction and subsequent disciplinary procedure, with the squad reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game.
The 20-minute element, on the other hand, refers to a foul that was neither intentional nor premeditated.
In these circumstances the player will be removed from the field of play for the remainder of the match, with the offending team being able to replace that player after 20 minutes by using one of their available substitutes to bring the squad back up to 15 players.
In a statement, the IRFU, whose stance mirrors that of the French Rugby Federation, said: “The IRFU does not support the permanent introduction of a 20-minute red card.”
“The welfare and safety of players is paramount to the core values of the game and the possibility of a permanent red card for intentional and intentional acts of foul play supports these values and protects the integrity of the game.”
“The IRFU welcomes the change to World Rugby’s closed court process, which will be adopted in the upcoming Autumn Nations Series.”
The autumn internationals will feature a series of court hearings, which will include referees having the opportunity to explain decisions or key moments “on the microphone” to spectators and television audiences.
Meanwhile, there will be a countdown clock for scrums, lineouts and shots on goal.
A scrum must be initiated within 30 seconds of the referee marking the scrum. A free kick will be awarded against the team that caused the delay.
And within 30 seconds of the assistant referee signaling the mark for a gas play, a lineout serve must be formed, with a free kick awarded on the 15-meter line against the team that caused the delay.
Six Nations Rugby, the organization responsible for the Autumn Nations Series, says the introduction of trials was “driven by a game-wide commitment to improving the spectacle for fans, along with a desire to simplify the game in key areas “while continuing to carry on.” Ensuring that player safety and well-being remains our top priority.”
Julie Paterson, Six Nations head of rugby, added: “Everyone in rugby understands that there is a huge opportunity to capture the attention of a much wider audience while catering to the existing and passionate fanbase.”
“The trials are just one step in exploring this possibility and the trials underway during the Autumn Nations Series will hopefully improve the experience for fans and help explain and accept, but also explain, some of the decisions ‘live’. “Nuances that make rugby so unique and special.”
P.A
