Lions Test series and Women's World Cup to use 20-minute red cards

Following a review of closed law trials in international and elite club rugby over the past year, the World Rugby Council has today approved the global trial of the 20-minute red card in elite competitions.

As such, 20-minute red cards could be issued at this summer’s Lions Test series, the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy and the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.

The 20-minute red card trial was introduced at Test level in last year’s Autumn Nations Series, in which Fiji’s Semi Radradra became the first recipient after his yellow card offence – a dangerous challenge on Cameron Winnett in the 24-19 win over Wales – was upgraded to a red. There were two other incidents which met the threshold in the ANS (Seru Karevi, Australia vs Wales and Scott Cummings, Scotland vs South Africa)

Wales were also involved when the new system was used in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations, with France’s Romain Ntamack and Ireland’s Garry Ringrose both receiving 20-minute reds in matches against them.

Under the trial, a player who commits foul play that is not deemed deliberate or intentional will receive a red card and be permanently removed from the game. However, their team may return to a full complement after 20 minutes by bringing on one of their available replacements in an attempt to not only protect player welfare but also the integrity of a contest. In Ringrose’s case, Aki came on for his midfield partner and helped to turn a potential loss into a win for the Irish.

Importantly, referees retain the authority to issue a full and permanent red card for any foul play considered deliberate and highly dangerous. Two yellow cards will constitute a 20-minute red card, unless the second offence meets the threshold for a full red card.

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said: “Our mission is to ensure rugby is a compelling sport to play and watch. The 20-minute red card preserves the fairness and drama of elite competition by punishing the individual, not the entire team or the spectacle.

“Player welfare is non-negotiable. We monitor data around head injuries, tackle height, and concussion rigorously – and transparently. If evidence ever indicated this trial posed greater risk, we would end it immediately.”

In other measures, World Rugby Council approved a closed trial of a centralised disciplinary process, allowing for quicker and more consistent decision-making.

Council also approved a measure so that, from 2026, all law trials in the men’s game will begin on 1 August each year, ensuring that all international matches are played under the same set of laws and trials regardless of where in the world they are played.

A final decision on whether the 20-minute red card will be adopted permanently will be made in 2026.