Six Nations 2025: 20-minute red cards to be used for first time at Championship | Rugby Union News
This year’s Six Nations will adopt the 20-minute red cards that were trialled during the autumn.
For the first time in the Championship, players sent off for technical fouls can be replaced by a team-mate after 20 minutes in an initiative design to punish the player rather than the team.
However, referees can still award full and permanent red cards for deliberate and dangerous fouls.
After a successful debut during the Autumn Nations Series, referees will continue to explain all important match decisions to spectators via microphone.
In order to speed up the game, the players have 60 seconds after the try for conversions, while the scrum and line-out must be formed within 30 seconds.
A global legal trial designed to protect scrum-halves at the foot of rucks, mauls and scrums will also come into effect for the Six Nations.
The Six Nations begins with Wales’ trip to France on Friday, January 31. Scotland hosts Italy, and England travel to Ireland the next day.
