Six Nations introduce major rule change after string of huge games controversially affected by decisions
SIX NATIONS chiefs have announced a huge new rule change after a successful trial.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, 20-minute red cards will be in place.
The rule change has been introduced to “punish the player and not the team”.
Sides will be able to replace a player sent off for a technical offence with a team-mate after 20 minutes.
The referee is still able to dish out a permanent red card for “deliberate and dangerous acts of foul play”.
This rule change comes in after it was trialled at the Autumn Nations Cup and Under-20s Championships.
The spectacle in recent finals like the 2023 World Cup and last year’s Premiership showpiece were damaged by sending offs.
Six Nations chief Julie Paterson said: “Across the game, everyone is working together to ensure we are exploring new and innovative ways to make the game as safe as possible, alongside ambitions to enhance the spectacle for fans, and the experience for players.”
The temporary red cards are not the only rule tweak to the game, with attempts made to speed up the game.
Kickers now have just a minute after a try to take the resulting conversion.
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Scrums and line-outs must be ready to go within 30 seconds.
To protect scrum-halves at the bottom of rucks, throws that do not go straight when the line-out is uncontested will be allowed.
The Six Nations kicks-off on January 31 as France take on Wales in Paris.