IRFU issues damning statement on controversial new rule change

A range of new rules are set to be trialled during the Autumn Nations Series this November.

The Irish Rugby Football Union have released a strong statement opposing the proposed 20-minute red card rule.

The change would give referees the option to award a 20-minute Red Card for technical offences. This variation will run throughout the Autumn Nation Series and will be followed by a discussion to implement it within the wider game later this year.

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 red card variation ensures that players deemed to commit deliberate and dangerous offences receive the full sanctioning, and subsequent disciplinary process, with the team being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game.

The 20-Minute Red Card element will relate to an act of foul play which is not deliberate or intentional. In these circumstances, the player will be removed from the field of play for the remainder of the game, with the offending team able to replace that player after 20 minutes, with one of their available replacements taking the team back to 15 players.

In a statement released today, the IRFU say they 'do not support' the 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," the statement reads.

"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 which are deemed deliberate and dangerous.

"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."

Earlier this week, France Rugby announced that they don't support the proposed change, and called on World Rugby “to base itself on evidence before modifying such a crucial sanction, particularly with regard to the impact on player safety.”

In a joint statement, the French Rugby Federation, the French league and the players’ union Provale said: "For the FFR, LNR and Provale, the red card is a crucial tool that deters unsporting behaviour and protects the physical integrity of players.

"Transforming this sanction into a temporary expulsion could encourage dangerous behaviour, thereby compromising player safety, which must remain the absolute priority."

The other rule change put forward by World Rugby is a countdown clock for scrum, lineout and kicks at goal.

Kickers will now have only 60 seconds to complete a conversion, with the time starting straight after a try is scored. If a player exceeds this time limit the conversion kick shall be disallowed.

Sixty seconds will also be allocated for a penalty kick at goal, starting from the time the referee is informed of the decision to take the kick at goal option. If the penalty attempt times out, a scrum is awarded to the non-kicking team at the place of the penalty.

A scrum must be set within 30 seconds of the referee making their mark for from the scrum, while a free kick will be given against the team deemed to be causing the delay.

A lineout must be formed within 30 seconds of the assistant referee signalling the mark for a lineout. A free kick will be awarded on the 15-metre line against the team deemed to be causing the delay.

As well as the above, referees will go ‘On Mic’ at points within games to explain decisions for fans in stadia and watching at home.

The Instrumented Mouthguard program will also be in operation, providing continuity to the players throughout their season.