Rugby set for change with a substitute brought on for 20 minutes

World Rugby will consider introducing a 20-minute red card as a global trial despite concerns that it could diminish the deterrent effect.

The law, which is currently being trialled in Super Rugby, means the dismissed player can tactically be replaced by a substitute after 20 minutes.

In a recent incident, England lock Charlie Ewels was sent off after only 82 seconds against Ireland in the Guinness Six Nations last month, with many people feeling the dismissal ruined the game as a contest.

Yes, it did ruin the game as a contest, but the referee in fairness had no choice to do this with the current guidelines.

World Rugby is determined to keep lowering tackle heights, which after all is what we all want to see in the game, as players health and safety has to be paramount.

The 20-minute red card is already available as a closed trial as per Super League but cannot be considered for global adoption before the next Women’s World Cup later this year and Men’s Rugby World Cup in 2023.

This decision has already caused a big debate amongst the followers of rugby. On Wednesday Bristol’s Direct of Rugby Pat Lam said he is in favour of the idea. “Red cards used to be for out and out foul play, someone punching someone or a real dangerous situation.” He went on to say “But with the current laws around tackle height we are seeing a lot of stuff. The rule is probably a good idea with the amount of red cards out there. Pretty much every week somebody is getting a red card.”

Well, he certainly has a point, but I fear by bringing this 20-minute rule in, teams will not be penalised in the manner in which they should be.

As coaches and players, if they know that they are going to play a large part of a game with 14 men, the message from coaches would be do not let this happen.

Whereas if you knew you were only going to play 20 minutes with 14 men, because for the next 60 minutes you know you will be back to the full quota of 15 men, then you probably wouldn’t be too concerned.

Overall, in my honest opinion I don’t think this will produce a fair contest. Like in football if a team lose a player or players to red cards, they have to get on with it, adjust and change tactics.

In rugby, this should be the answer and way forward. Stop messing around with the laws and rules of the game.
For the sake of the wonderful sport of rugby I really hope this 20- minute rule doesn’t come into play, overwise I fear more changes to the game could follow, and that is something we don’t want to see.

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