The law trials and rule innovations being debuted and continued during the 2025 Six Nations…
Twenty-minute red cards
For the first time in the Six Nations, players sent off for technical offences can be replaced by a team-mate after 20 minutes have elapsed in an initiative designed to punish players and not teams.
However, referees can still award full and permanent red cards for deliberate and dangerous acts of foul play.
The move has been welcomed by England full-back Freddie Steward, the recipient of an infamous red card in Dublin which was subsequently rescinded, only after Ireland had exploited the numerical advantage to record a Grand Slam-clinching 29-16 victory in 2023.
“It has such a significant impact on Test matches, as you saw in that game,” Steward said.
“It needs to be the right decision because it shapes campaigns for teams. You can lose games on a decision. It really kills you. I am glad they have taken strides to get it right.
“You have seen red cards ruin Test matches. You can almost hear the groans of fans of the team who still have 15 on the field because they want a proper contest.”
Freddie Steward (second left) was controversially sent off during England’s last visit to Dublin
‘Protecting the 9’
A global law trial designed to protect scrum-halves at the base of rucks, mauls and scrums will also come into effect for the Six Nations.
Called ‘protecting the 9’, the amendment will see the offside line for the team not in possession at scrums set at the centre line of the tunnel, while a scrum-half cannot be played while the ball is near a tackle, ruck or maul.
Despite being designed to enable cleaner play and fewer stoppages, the effective removal of the defending scrum-half’s ability to compete at a scrum, plus the ambiguity surrounding the breakdown, has drawn criticism.
Scrum-halves will be protected at set-piece and breakdown to promote cleaner play and fewer stoppages
“They may as well wrap the nines up in cotton wool at this stage. It’s becoming ridiculous, in my opinion,” Ireland forward Tadhg Beirne said.
“It’s making life more difficult for them in terms of that law, in terms of you can’t touch the nine within a metre of the ruck. When’s the ruck’s over, when’s the ball out, when can you come through the ruck?
“It’s worse for me because it’s something I like to do so obviously I’m not going to like it. The nines are probably delighted with it.”
In-stadium referee explanations continue
After its successful debut during the Autumn Nations Series, referees will continue to explain any important decisions within games to spectators through a microphone.
This feature is part of an ongoing effort to bring fans even closer to the key moments in fixtures and add another layer of understanding for fans following.
In-stadium TMO decisions will debut in the Six Nations after its successful roll out in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series
Time limits on restarts
Two additional measures to speed up gameplay will also be implemented, with kickers now having 60 seconds after a try has been scored to take conversions, while scrums and line-outs must be formed within 30 seconds.
While an attritional, low-scoring match dominated by set-pieces may appeal to rugby purists, the game is all too aware of the pressures to stay competitive and draw fresh eyeballs to the sport in such a competitive landscape.
To those familiar with rugby, there are few more compelling battles on a pitch than two packs colliding come scrum time, but countless scrums and stoppages can alienate those new to the game.
Any measure, therefore, that keeps the ball in play longer for the protagonists on the field to showcase their talent has to be welcomed.
Players will have 60 seconds to a conversion after a try has been scored
‘Touchfinder’ technology
Match officials will also be supported by the introduction of ‘Touchfinder’ in the 2025 Six Nations.
The technology, an evolution of the Smart Ball technology, will identify precisely where the ball crosses the touchline from kicks and where lineouts should be taken from.
2025 Men’s Six Nations fixtures
Friday January 31
France vs Wales (8.15pm)
Saturday February 1
Scotland vs Italy (2.15pm)
Ireland vs England (4.45pm)
Saturday February 8
Italy vs Wales (2.15pm)
England vs France (4.45pm)
Sunday February 9
Scotland vs Ireland (3pm)
Saturday February 22
Wales vs Ireland (2.15pm)
England vs Scotland (4.45pm)
Sunday February 23
Italy vs France (3pm)
Saturday March 8
Ireland vs France (2.15pm)
Scotland vs Wales (4.45pm)
Sunday March 9
England vs Italy (3pm)
Saturday March 15
Italy vs Ireland (2.15pm)
Wales vs England (4.45pm)
France vs Scotland (8pm)
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