Ronan O’Gara describes controversial rugby rule change as ‘nonsense’

The Ireland and Munster legend has slammed the proposed law.

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 most controversial of these proposals is one that would give referees the option to award a 20-minute Red Card for technical offences.

This variation will run throughout the Autumn Nation Series in November and has already been trialled at the recent Rugby Championship and the World Under-20 Championship.

On Friday, the IRFU confirmed in a statement that they do not support the permanent adoption of the 20-minute red card by World Rugby.

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

“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.”

Now, Ireland legend and La Rochelle coach Ronan O'Gara has voiced his opposition to the proposed change.

Speaking to Off The Ball, the Corkman said: "My thoughts would be strong – a 20-minute red card would be nonsense. I don’t see where it fits in the game.

🗣️"My thoughts would be strong - a twenty-minute red card is nonsense!"

🗣️"It opens the door... we could be re-entering dangerous territory again"

20-minute red cards are to be trialled in Autumn Internationals... safe to say ROG is not a fan... | 🏉#IrishRugby | #FrenchRugby pic.twitter.com/8q9o08hter

— Off The Ball (@offtheball) October 18, 2024

"We’re always trying to learn how to make the game better," he added. "A red card is a serious act of foul play. If it’s a serious act of foul play, there’s no place in the game for 20-minute [red card] – it’s quite simple.

"The criteria and process around a red card is quite strict nowadays – strict isn’t the right word to use as there’s a difference on opinion on nearly every single rule in the game of rugby. A 20-minute red card makes it so we could be re-entering dangerous territory again."