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

THE SIX NATIONS is reaching the halfway mark for 2025, with the new rules implemented for the tournament on full display in the first two rounds.

The 20-minute rule is just one of a number of new rules that have been introduced to rugby union fans during this years iteration of the Six Nations.

The French were the first side to feel the rath of the new rule, seeing fly-half Romain Ntamack sent off for 20 minutes during their 43-0 win over Wales.

With only 10 minutes to go in the game, France did not see the rule in action, but Ntamack was suspended for Les Blues as they lost at Twickenham.

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.

Romain Ntamack was the first player to receive a 20-minute red card at the 2025 Six Nations, being sent off for shoulder to head contact on Ben Thomas during the opening game.

He was initially sin-binned, but saw his yellow upgraded to a 20-minute red.

However, with only 10 minutes of France’s 43-0 win over Wales remaining, the full effect of the new rule is yet to be seen this year.

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

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

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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

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

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

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