England fear the All Blacks have been handed an unfair advantage for their opening Test match of the autumn after a series of new laws were introduced at short notice.
Telegraph Sport understands that England will seek further clarification about the laws being trialled, before the contest against New Zealand at Twickenham on November 2, when Steve Borthwick’s side face an opposition that has already played under them.
A 20-minute red card and countdown clocks for both scrums and line-outs have been introduced for the Autumn Nations Series, which comprises 21 games between northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere sides in November.
After New Zealand, England also face Australia, South Africa and Eddie Jones’s Japan in the following weekends. The first three of these opponents have already played with the new laws during the Rugby Championship earlier this year, leaving England just a fortnight to get up to speed with the new variations.
Borthwick’s squad are expected to focus on the new laws during a training camp in Girona next week to enable them to hit the ground running while seeking clarification about their implementation. It is understood a number of other countries will do the same.
The law variations include a version of a 20-minute red card as well as 60-second shot-clocks for kickers and 30-second limits on the formation of scrums and line-outs. Teams that fail to form scrums or line-outs within 30 seconds will give up free-kicks.
None of these laws have been used in the Premiership or the United Rugby Championship (URC) this season, seemingly leaving northern hemisphere sides at a disadvantage.
The version of the 20-minute red card to be used in the autumn is said to be designed for “technical offences” and will allow offending players to be replaced after that period. Crucially, though, officials will retain the ability to send players off permanently for foul play that is deemed to be deliberate and dangerous.
It is understood that yellow cards for 10-minute sin bins can be upgraded to a 20-minute red by a TMO ‘bunker official’ but that yellows will not be upgraded to full reds, because permanent dismissals will be reserved for obvious and deliberate offences. Two yellows will equal a 20-minute red card, unless the second offence warrants a full red in itself.
The standalone 20-minute red card alternative, which has no permanent dismissal, is due to be discussed by the World Rugby Council next month, and has been vehemently criticised by France and Ireland.
“The 20-minute red card element will relate to an act of foul play which is not deliberate or intentional,” read a press release issued by Six Nations Rugby, the company that stages these autumn fixtures, on Friday.
“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.”
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) condemned the standalone 20-minute red card on Friday, suggesting that it would damage the “core values of the game” and potentially endanger players.
“The IRFU does not support the permanent adoption of a 20-minute red card,” read a statement. “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 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.”
During the Autumn Nations Series, referees will have the option to go ‘on mic’ and explain their decisions to stadium crowds in an initiative that aims to enhance the experience for supporters, both at the stadium and via television or radio broadcasts.
“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,” said Julie Paterson, the Six Nations chief of rugby.
“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.”
How the game could change under new laws
Law trial: 20-minute red cards for ‘technical offences’
How it might affect the game: High tackles that would previously have brought contentious dismissals are likely to lead to these, because referees have a buffer. It would be brave for an official to second-guess intent and send off a player permanently if they have a get-out option.
Which countries have played under it: The standalone 20-minute red has been used in Super Rugby, but this exact version was in the 2024 Rugby Championship in which New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina compete. England play the first three this autumn.
Law trial: Shot clock of 60 seconds for conversions and penalties
How it might affect the game: There might be a bit more panic for kickers worried about spurning points.
Which countries have played under it: Again, the Rugby Championship featured these laws. Elsewhere, conversions allow 90 seconds and penalties 60 seconds.
Law trial: Countdowns of 30 seconds for scrums and line-outs.
How it might affect the game: Matches could grow more frantic with checks on the forwards steeling themselves and strategising ahead of set-pieces. Line-out callers will need to be particularly sharp.
Which countries have played under it: Once again, Rugby Championship had a look at this law earlier this year.
