Autumn Nations Series set to trial a number of new rugby laws

The new laws will be trialled next month.

The 2024 Autumn Nations Series kicks off on Saturday 2nd November and features fourteen of the strongest rugby nations.

The series will see the European Six Nations sides host some of the strongest nations from the rest of the world.

The stage is set for a genuine sporting spectacle, and to enhance the experience for fans, a range of law trials are confirmed to feature in the November test matches.

The introduction of these law trials by Six Nations Rugby - the Official Organisation responsible for the Autumn Nations Series - has been driven by a game-wide commitment to enhance the spectacle for fans, alongside the ambition to simplify the game in key areas, whilst continuing to ensure player safety and welfare standards remains paramount.

The law trials featuring in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series are explained below.

1) Introduction of a 20-Minute Red Card variation for technical offences  

Referees will retain the ability to award a permanent red card 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. This variation on the law trial will run throughout the Autumn Nation Series and differs from the standalone 20-minute red card proposal due to be discussed by the wider game later this year.

The red-card variation 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.

The 20-Minute Red Card element will relate to an act of foul play which is not deliberate or intentional. In these circumstances, the player will be removed from the field of play for the remainder of the game, with the offending team able to replace that player after 20 minutes, with one of their available replacements taking the team back to 15 players.

Another law trial being introduced to the Autumn Nations Series for the first time is the option for the referee to go ‘on mic’ to explain their decision or key moments, for the benefit of those in stadia, or watching at home via broadcast coverage.

2) Countdown clock for Scrum, Lineout and Kicks at Goal 

a) Conversion & Penalty Kicks: Kickers will now have only 60 seconds to complete a conversion, with the time starting straight after a try is scored. If a player exceeds this time limit the conversion kick shall be disallowed.

60 seconds will also be allocated for a penalty kick at goal, starting from the time the referee is informed of the decision to take the kick at goal option. If the penalty attempt times out, a scrum is awarded to the non-kicking team at the place of the penalty.

b) Scrum clock: A scrum must be set within 30 seconds of the referee making their mark for the scrum. A Free Kick will be given against the team deemed to be causing the delay.

c) Lineout clock: A lineout must be formed within 30 seconds of the assistant referee signalling the mark for a lineout. A free kick will be awarded on the 15-metre line against the team deemed to be causing the delay.

Commenting on the introduction of these law trials, to the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said:

“Everyone in rugby understands that there is a huge opportunity to capture the attention of a far broader audience, alongside catering for its existing and passionate fanbase. The law trials are just one step towards exploring this opportunity, and the trials running throughout the Autumn Nations Series will hopefully enhance the experience for fans, whilst helping explain some of the decisions taken ‘live’ and to embrace but also explain the nuances that are part of what make rugby so unique and special.

No trial or subsequent change is considered without utter confidence that player safety and welfare is front and centre though. 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.”

The law variations featuring in the 2024 Autumn Nation Series have been selected from a wider package of opt-in law variations introduced by World Rugby in May this year.  A number of these closed law trials have already been tested across various rugby competitions, including The Rugby Championship, World Rugby’s U20 Championship, and the Pacific Nations Cup.

IRFU statement on 20-Minute Red Card.

The IRFU does not support the permanent adoption of a 20-minute Red Card.

Player welfare and safety are paramount to the core values of the game and the option of a permanent red card for deliberate and intentional acts of foul play… pic.twitter.com/arXUwuZs5l

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) October 18, 2024

Earlier today, the Irish Rugby Football Union released a strong statement opposing the proposed 20-minute red card rule.

The IRFU said they ‘do not support’ the adoption of a 20-minute Red Card.

“Player welfare and safety are paramount to the core values of the game and the option of a permanent red card for deliberate and intentional acts of foul play supports those values and protects the integrity of the game,” the statement reads.

“The IRFU welcomes the variation to World Rugby’s closed law trial, which will be adopted in the upcoming Autumn Nations Series, whereby Match Officials will retain the ability to award a permanent red card for acts of foul play which are deemed deliberate and dangerous.

“Match officials will also have the option of a 20-Minute Red Card for technical acts of foul play deemed not to be deliberate or intentional.

“In these circumstances, the player will be removed from the field of play with the offending team able to replace that player after 20 minutes, with one of their available replacements, which was also trialled in this year’s Rugby Championship.”