How does the 20-minute red card work in Test rugby?

World Rugby made the 20-minute red card full law for elite rugby, which includes Tests, from 1 July 2026, after a global trial.

20-minute red card

• For foul play that reaches red card level but is not highly dangerous and intentional.
• The player is off for the rest of the match. After 20 minutes of playing time from the incident, the team may bring on a replacement (even a player who was tactically replaced earlier).
• Two yellow cards to the same player in a match also make a 20-minute red card, unless the second act is highly dangerous and intentional.

Permanent red card

• For highly dangerous and intentional foul play. Only the referee on the field can give it (after a TMO review if one is used).
• The player can't be replaced, so the team plays a player short for the rest of the match.

How a yellow can become a red

1. The referee shows a yellow card and crosses their arms. The player goes off for 10 minutes while the incident is reviewed off the field.
2. The Foul Play Review Officer (or the TMO doing that job) has up to eight minutes to review it.
3. The card stays yellow or is upgraded to a 20-minute red. The off-field reviewer cannot recommend a permanent red.