French Rugby Federation Opposes 20-Minute Red Card Proposal

French Rugby Federation (FFR), the National Rugby League and Provale have expressed strong opposition to World Rugby’s proposal for a 20-minute red card rule, calling it an “unacceptable step backwards.” This new rule would allow teams to replace a player sent off with a red card after 20 minutes in the sin-bin, a trial that took place during the Rugby Championship and the Under-20 Championship in South Africa in 2024.

World Rugby reported “successful initial trials,” leading to calls for further trials in elite competitions. However, the three French governing bodies argue that the data collected thus far is insufficient to warrant the implementation of this rule. They referenced statistics from 480 Top 14 and Tier 1 international matches indicating that only 60% of teams that received a red card ended up losing.

This suggests that red cards do not always determine a match’s outcome. The joint statement emphasized that the current red card system is a vital deterrent against unsportsmanlike behavior and that changing this rule could lead to more aggressive play, ultimately harming the sport’s image. Notably, both the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup finals saw one team playing with 14 players for most of the match.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont defended the trial, stating that it aims to streamline the disciplinary process for better clarity among players and fans. The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has pledged to advocate against the rule during the World Rugby Council meeting on November 14. If approved, World Rugby would collaborate with unions and stakeholders to implement the rule by January 1.

Jean-Marc Lhermet, FFR’s vice-president called for World Rugby to reconsider the experiment urging decisions to be grounded in robust data.