Twenty-minute red cards will be trialed during autumn rugby tests

LONDON (AP) - Rugby referees will have the option to use 20-minute red cards during the autumn internationals next month.

Organizers said Friday that referees will still be able to distribute permanent red cards for foul play, deemed to be deliberate and dangerous.

"However, this November, referees will have the option to award a 20-minute red card for technical offences," they said in a statement. "This variation on the law trial will run throughout the Autumn Nation Series and differs to the standalone 20-minute Red Card proposal due to be discussed by the wider game later this year.”

World Rugby said last week the possibility of replacing a red-carded player with a teammate after 20 minutes was moving closer to global adoption following "successful trials." The sent-off player would not be able to return for the rest of the match.

The proposed new law is part of a package of changes "designed to enhance the viewing and playing experience," World Rugby said. The council could adopt them next month to start on Jan. 1.

The French and Irish rugby federation have said they are opposed to the permanent implementation of a 20-minute red card by World Rugby, claiming it poses a health risk.

"No trial or subsequent change is considered without utter confidence that player safety and welfare is front and centre though," said Julie Paterson, the chief of rugby at Six Nations Rugby, commenting on the trial during the autumn tests. "First and foremost, we need to look after the players and their interests, and the trials we have opted to use this November deliver on this commitment."

According to Six Nations Rugby, the red card variation that will be introduced during the autumn tests ensures that players deemed to commit deliberate and dangerous offences receive the full sanctioning, and subsequent disciplinary process, with the team being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game.

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