Implementation of the 20minute red card replacement in elite rugby - August 2025

In November 2024, World Rugby Council approved the introduction of a Global Law Trial to allow a 20-minute red card replacement in elite rugby only. Unions determine what level of rugby constitutes 'elite' in their countries.

This Guideline sets out the implementation options of the 20-minute red card replacement by the appointed match officials. This was also agreed by Council.

Unions/competitions should choose which of the implementation options is most appropriate depending on available technology, capabilities, or resources. The option should be agreed with relevant stakeholders before a competition/league begins.

It is acknowledged that due to budgetary or logistical constraints, not all elite fixtures will have a Television Match Official (TMO) or a Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO) appointed to enable an off-field review process to be used. The 20-minute red card replacement can still be used by the on-field officials even if no off-field review process is available.

The role of an FPRO, was added to the definition of match officials in law in 2025. They join the referee, assistant referees, TMO, match day doctor etc in the definition.

As part of the trial, foul play incidents may be referred for off-field review during the 10-minute yellow card period. The official involved is permitted to advise that a sanction be maintained as a yellow card or be upgraded to a red card with a 20 minute replacement allowed.

*Technology/resource limitations may mean TMO not able to conduct off-field review. In which case the decision is made on-field at time of incident. See below.
* "Direct from referee" means in consultation with assistant referees or following a TMO review

Process for each option

Matches with both TMO & FPRO

• The on-field match officials and TMO will watch the replays on the big screen (or sideline monitor)
• The referee may, using the normal TMO review process, issue a permanent red card on the field for highly dangerous and intentional actions. An off-field review is not conducted where this outcome is clear after a short number of replays. The player cannot return to play and cannot be replaced.
• If the officials decide that a minimum yellow card threshold is met, the referee may refer the incident for off-field review. 
• The referee will show a yellow card and cross their arms above their heads. This signals an off-field review will take place and the player leaves the field for 10 minutes as per yellow card laws (Law 9.29)
• The FPRO will then have up to eight minutes to review the incident using all available footage and technology. They will advise the referee at the appropriate time, that the card should;
  • remain a yellow card, or
  • be upgraded to a 20-minute red card. An FPRO cannot recommend a permanent red card. 

Matches with a TMO but no FPRO

• The on-field match officials and TMO will watch the replays on the big screen (or sideline monitor)
• The referee may, using the normal TMO review process, issue a permanent red card on the field for highly dangerous and intentional actions. An off-field review is not conducted where this outcome is clear after a short number of replays. The player cannot return to play and cannot be replaced.
• Where the technology capability permits, and they decide that a minimum yellow card threshold is met, the referee may refer the incident for off-field review. 
• The referee will show a yellow card and cross their arms above their heads. This signals an off-field review will take place and the player leaves the field for 10 minutes as per yellow card laws (Law 9.29)
• The TMO will then have up to eight minutes to review the incident using all available footage and technology. They will advise the referee at the appropriate time, that the card should; 
  • remain a yellow card, or 
  • be upgraded to a 20-minute red card. A TMO in this off-field review process, cannot recommend a permanent red card. 
• If upgraded, the player is shown a red card by the referee (followed by arms crossed signal) and cannot return to play. The player can be replaced after 20 minutes playing time has expired (from the initial incident). 

In some circumstances the TMO technology or resourcing may be inadequate to effectively undertake an off-field review process. In this case, the referee with their ARs and TMO, will decide all foul play outcomes at the time of the incident. No off-field review process will be conducted.

• After consulting assistant referees and TMO, the referee issues the appropriate card: 
  • Yellow card 
  • Red card with the arms crossed signal = 20min red card replacement
  • Red card without arms crossed signal = Permanent red card

Matches with no TMO or FPRO

• After consulting the assistant referees, the referee issues the appropriate card:
  • Yellow card 
  • Red card with the arms crossed signal = 20min red card replacement
  • Red card = Permanent red card

Additional notes: 

• In all cases, any player shown a red card cannot return to play. 
• Where a 20-minute red card is issued, the player sent off can be replaced by an available replacement after 20 minutes playing time. 
• Where two yellow cards lead to a red card – this will become a 20minute red card with a replacement permitted. 
  • If the second event meets the highly dangerous and intentional criteria, then this will be a treated as a permanent red card and not a second yellow card. 
  • The second event can still be reviewed by FPRO/TMO with a recommendation of a 20min red card. The officials should still communicate this to players/stakeholders even though the 20-minute red card replacement is the same outcome. 

Implication of 20min red card replacement on uncontested scrums

The following uncontested scrums grid has an additional row and column to the previous versions. This takes into account the scenarios where a team has returned to 15 players but cannot fulfill contested scrums. It shows how many players should be on the field when uncontested scrums are required.