Six Nations red card rules – what is the new 20-minute red card rule?

THE SIX NATIONS 2025 will see a number of rule changes, with the 20-minute red card being introduced, after a successful trial during the Autumn Nations Series.

The 20-minute rule is one of a host of new regulations that will be used during this years iteration of the Six Nations.

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English fans will know too well the damage a red card can do, as in 2023 they saw Freddie Stewart controversially dismissed in Dublin, as they lost to Ireland.

What is the 20-minute red card rule?

One thing will remain the same with the new rule, and that is that once a player has been shown a red card, they will no longer be allowed to return to the field of play.

In cases the referee deems to be a technical foul, such as accidental head contact, the referee can give a player a 20-minute red card.

This means that while the player sent off will remain sent off, the team can replace that player with a replacement after 20 minutes.

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Fiji's Semi Radradra was given the first 20-minute red card in the northern hemisphere, seeing his initial yellow card later upgraded to a 20-minute red in a test vs Wales.

Referees will still be able to send players off permanently.

Are there any other new rules to know?

A new rule to protect the 9 at the scrum has been introduced:

• The rule states a scrum half will not be able to be played the ball while it is still in a tackle, ruck or maul.
• The opposition scrum half offside line will be the middle of the tunnel, limiting their ability to defend a scrum

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New timing limits on setting lineouts, scrums, and taking conversions and penalties:

• A team will have a maximum of 30 seconds to set a scrum or lineout
• Players will only have 60 seconds for a conversion following the scoring of a try, reduced from 90 seconds

Lineout rules:

• Play on at a lineout if the ball is not straight, but only if the ball is unconstested

How to watch the Six Nations

The Six Nations will start on Friday, January 31st, as Wales take on France in Paris at 8:15pm GMT. The game will be live on ITV.

England's first game is away in Dublin at 4:45pm GMT, live on ITV.

Both the BBC and ITV will be showing the Six Nations, here is a full list of which game is on which channel:

Round 1:

• France vs Wales - Jan 31, 8:15pm GMT - ITV
• Scotland vs Italy - Feb 1, 2:15pm GMT - BBC
• England vs Ireland - Feb 1, 4:45pm GMT - ITV

Round 2:

• Italy vs Wales - Feb 8, 2:15pm GMT - ITV
• England vs France - Feb 8, 4:45pm GMT - ITV
• Scotland vs Ireland - Feb 9, 3pm GMT - BBC

Round 3:

• Wales vs Ireland - Feb 22, 2:15pm GMT - BBC
• England vs Scotland - Feb 22, 4:45pm GMT- ITV
• Italy vs France - Feb 23, 3pm GMT - ITV

Round 4:

• Ireland vs France - Mar 8, 2:15pm GMT - ITV
• Scotland vs Wales - Mar 8, 4:45pm GMT - BBC
• England vs Italy - Mar 9, 3pm GMT - ITV

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Round 5:

• Italy vs Ireland - Mar 15, 2:15pm GMT - ITV
• Wales vs England - Mar 15, 4:45pm GMT - BBC
• France vs Scotland - Mar 15, 8pm GMT - ITV