XV of France: the 20-minute red card put in place during the Six Nations Tournament

Experimentation is gradually spreading into the world of Rugby. This Wednesday, the organizer of the Six Nations Tournament announced the implementation of the reduced red card during the 2025 edition which begins on Friday January 31 with the match between France and Wales (9:15 p.m.). The competition referees will therefore have the possibility of temporarily excluding players.

“The 20-minute red card applies to technical fouls (not dangerous or deliberate, Editor's note). The offending team can replace the excluded player, in order to punish the player and not the team,” detailed Six Nations Rugby in a press release.

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The definitive red card remains in force in the event of “deliberate and dangerous acts of foul play”, continues Six Nations Rugby. Just like the yellow card, which allows the referee to exclude a player for ten minutes for less serious offenses, without him being replaced.

Already tested during the fall tour

The reduced red card was tested during several international competitions, notably the November matches, despite opposition from certain countries including France. This rule is not applied in the Top 14 or in the European Cup.

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The international federation World Rugby, which was initially due to decide in November on a global experimentation of the system, ultimately postponed this generalization to an indefinite date in order to have “more in-depth feedback”.

In addition to the 20-minute red card, other changes implemented during the fall tour will be implemented during the Tournament. The referees will be able to explain some of their decisions to spectators using a microphone. In order to speed up the game, the time to shoot a conversion, prepare for scrums and throw-ins has been reduced.