Autumn Nations Series 2024: New 20-minute red card to be trialled to 'enhance the experience for fans'
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Published 18/10/2024 at 16:24 GMT+1
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The 2024 Autumn Nations Series is just around the corner and every Test will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The blockbuster international matches will have a different look to them this year after a string of law changes and trials were announced ahead of kick-off. A 20-minute red card will be used for "technical offences", while referees can broadcast decisions to the stadium.
Lozowski, Cowan-Dickie back as England start Autumn Nations Series prep
Video credit: SNTV
A 20-minute red card for “technical offences” is set to be introduced for the 2024 Autumn Nations Series in a landmark moment for Northern Hemisphere men’s rugby union.
The Autumn internationals get underway on Saturday, November 2 when England host New Zealand live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – where every minute of every Test will be shown in full.
For the first time, referees will be able to show a player a red card for 20 minutes for technical offences.
Players who are “deemed to commit deliberate and dangerous offences” will still receive a straight red card that takes them out of the remainder of the game.
But the 20-minute red card has been brought in for unintentional acts of foul play, with organisers saying it “differs to the standalone 20-minute red card proposal due to be discussed by the wider game later this year”.
“The 20-minute red card element will relate to an act of foul play which is not deliberate or intentional,” read a statement.
“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.”
It comes after the French Rugby Federation expressed “firm opposition” to the idea of a 20-minute red card, saying it is an “unacceptable step backwards on the measures put in place over the last few years to reduce head impacts”.
The 20-minute red card was used in this year’s Rugby Championship and at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship.
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Organisers looked to calm any concerns over a detrimental impact on player welfare.
"No trial or subsequent change is considered without utter confidence that player safety and welfare is front and centre," said Julie Paterson, chief of rugby at Six Nations Rugby.
"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.”
Several other law changes will be in place during the Autumn Nations Series.
One trial being introduced will see referees have the option to go ‘on mic’ and explain their decisions to fans in the stadium or watching at home.
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There will also be a countdown clock for scrums, lineouts and kicks at goal.
Scrums must be set and lineouts formed within 30 seconds of the referee making or signalling their mark, while kickers will have 60 seconds once they have elected to take a kick at goal.
“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,” Paterson added.
“The law trials are just one step towards exploring this opportunity, and the trials running through 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.”
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Which Autumn Nations Series matches are on TNT Sports?
In April, it was announced that TNT Sports would broadcast every game of this year's Autumn Nations Series. Below is the full list of fixtures and kick-off times BST.
WEEK 1
November 2
- England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Scotland v Fiji, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
WEEK 2
November 8
- Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 9
- England v Australia, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli, kick-off: 17:40
- France v Japan, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 10
- Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 3
November 15
- Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 16
- Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- England v South Africa, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- France v New Zealand, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 17
- Italy v Georgia, TBC, kick-off: 13:40
- Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 4
November 22
- France v Argentina, Stade de France, kick-off: 20:10
November 23
- Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
- Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, kick-off: 17:40
- Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium, kick-off: 20:10
November 24
- Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield Stadium, kick-off: 13:40
- England v Japan, Twickenham Stadium, kick-off: 16:10
WEEK 5
November 30
- Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, kick-off: 15:10
Stream the Gallagher Premiership, 2024 Autumn Nations Series and Premiership Women's Rugby on TNT Sports and discovery+
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