Les Bleus see red over card proposal

29/04/2024 20:07

A north versus south battle could be brewing after France, England and Ireland reportedly opposed World Rugby and Sanzaar’s plans to formally introduce the 20-minute red card to Test rugby.

The law, which has been a regular feature in Super Rugby since 2020, allows a team to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes.

Sanzaar have been eager to make the law a formal part of international rugby, with chief executive Brendan Morris confirming that World Rugby’s general council will vote on it at the next meeting in May.

In order for the 20-minute red card to be advanced to a global trial, it would need a 75% majority of the council vote.

The law will be part of this year’s Rugby Championship.

SA Rugby have joined their Sanzaar partners and publically backed the 20-minute red card. Chief executive Rian Oberholzer confirmed SA Rugby’s stance at the Player of the Year awards ceremony in March.

However, according to a report in Midi Olympique, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) and National Rugby League (LNR) have firmly positioned themselves against the law trial.

England and Ireland are also reportedly “unfavourable” to Sanzaar’s plans, while the FFR and LNR have gone a step further and expressed their stance in a joint letter to World Rugby.

A Six Nations stance against the 20-minute red card would certainly present a massive blow to Sanzaar’s plans, given England and France’s influence in World Rugby.

The law has generated plenty of debate since it was introduced to Super Rugby, with proponents arguing that red cards ruin matches as a contest, while those against the idea say that it does not present a harsh enough punishment and therefor deterrent to foul play.

Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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