the 20-minute red card in place for the Autumn Nations Series, France and Ireland opposed

The organizers of the Autumn Nations Series, which are the same as those of the 6 Nations Tournament, announced the introduction of a 20-minute red card for the matches to come in November, despite the reluctance of several federations.

“An unacceptable step backwards”. The announcement, Friday October 18, of the application of the 20-minute red card during the next Autumn Nations Series does not rejoice the French leaders, nor the Irish Federation, respectively the current fourth world selection and the first. The organizers of this autumn tour wish to generalize this red card which will exclude the sanctioned player, but which will allow his team to replace him after 20 minutes and therefore not to play the entire game outnumbered.

In its press release, the Autumn Nations Series intends “simplify the game”. However, this temporary 20-minute red card will only concern technical, “unintentional” faults, and referees will retain the possibility of sending players permanent red cards, with no possible replacement.

This news was not well received by the French Rugby Federation, the League, and the players’ union Provale, who oppose “firmly” to the generalization of the 20-minute red card. According to the three organizations, “the experiment did not last long enough” to draw meaningful conclusions. “The red card is a crucial tool that deters unsporting behavior and protects the physical integrity of players. Transforming this sanction into a temporary expulsion could encourage dangerous behavior.”they argue.

The Irish Rugby Federation is also mobilizing against this new measure, recalling that “player well-being and safety are paramount to the core values ​​of the game”. With this new rule, the French XV will face Japan on November 9, New Zealand on November 16 and Argentina on November 22, each time at the Stade de France.

The international federation, World Rugby, opened the possibility of carrying out this experiment on October 8, after having tested it in various summer competitions. This rule could be adopted worldwide during the World Rugby council on November 14, according to the press release from the international body. [en anglais].

Other rules, currently being tested, will be put into practice during these matches: limit of 30 seconds to play scrums and throw-ins, 60 seconds to score a conversion after a try (as is already the case for a penalty ).