Match Official's Guide to World Rugby TMO Protocol Senior Elite 2026/27

Under Law 6.16, any of the match officials, including the TMO, may recommend a review by the TMO. Reviews then follow the World Rugby TMO Protocol.

Match officials can include the referee, the two assistant referees, the TMO, a time-keeper, a foul play review officer (FPRO) and an independent match day doctor (World Rugby definitions).

Team staff and other additional persons must not approach, address or aim comments at the match officials, except medical staff about treating their own player (Law 6.30).

When the referee consults the TMO, the signal is both index fingers drawing a rectangle (a TV screen).

Under the World Rugby TMO Protocol (July 2026), a formal TMO review for serious foul play may be started when the match officials believe a yellow or red card may be needed for:

How far back: anything since the last restart of play. A kick to touch after a penalty or free-kick, a quick tap and a quick throw do not count as restarts, so play before them can still be reviewed.

Under the World Rugby TMO Protocol (July 2026) there are two time limits for try-scoring reviews, and neither goes further back than the last restart (a quick tap or quick throw does not count as a restart):

Within the last 2 phases before the try, for:

• scoring (Law 8)
• obstruction (9.1 to 9.6)
• offside (Law 10 and the offside laws at kick-offs, rucks, mauls, lineouts, scrums, penalties and free-kicks)
• tackle complete (14.1 to 14.3), maul formation (16.2, 16.7)
• quick throw (18.3 to 18.7), taking a penalty or free-kick (20.2, 20.11)
• in-goal (Law 21)

A maximum of the last 2 phases or the last attacking passage before the try, for:

• dangerous play (9.11 to 9.28, except 9.19)
• knock forward (11.1 to 11.5), throw forward (11.6 to 11.7)
• touch (18.1 to 18.2)

Definitions

• 2 phases: only 2 rucks or mauls; play before a 3rd ruck or maul cannot be checked.
• Attacking passage: play since the last turnover in possession.

The World Rugby TMO Protocol (July 2026) allows a live call by the TMO, similar to a live call from an assistant referee, for these clear and obvious infringements:

Timing: the live call must be made immediately when the infringement happens in live play, or immediately after it is confirmed on one replay (broadcast or TMO replay output).

Separately, Law 6.16 lets any match official, including the TMO, recommend a formal TMO review.

Yes. Under the World Rugby TMO Protocol (July 2026), while the ball is out of play the TMO may immediately give the referee information so the game restarts correctly:

• the correct team to throw into a lineout or feed a scrum
• the correct mark for a scrum, lineout, penalty or free-kick
• the correct type of restart relating to touch or in-goal

This is information to help the referee, not a formal review.

From World Rugby's guideline on the 20-minute red card in elite rugby:

1. The on-field officials and TMO watch replays on the big screen or sideline monitor.
2. If the act is clearly intentional and highly dangerous after a short number of replays, the referee shows a permanent red card on the field. No off-field review happens.
3. If the officials decide that at least the yellow card threshold is met, the referee may refer the incident for off-field review: the referee shows a yellow card and crosses arms above the head, and the player leaves for 10 minutes (Law 9.29).
4. The FPRO (or the TMO, if there is no FPRO) has up to eight minutes to review all available footage and technology.
5. They advise the referee that the card should either stay yellow or be upgraded to a 20-minute red card. They cannot recommend a permanent red.
6. If upgraded, the referee shows a red card and the arms-crossed signal. The player does not return, and can be replaced after 20 minutes of playing time from the original incident.

Law 9.30 (elite rugby only):

• Permanent red card: for intentional and highly dangerous actions. The player takes no further part and cannot be replaced.
• 20-minute red card: for other sending-off offences. The player cannot return, but any available replacement may come on once 20 minutes of playing time have passed since the incident. Under World Rugby's guideline this can be any member of the bench, used or unused (subject to Law 3.33).

Only the referee can show a permanent red card, either directly on the field or after a normal on-field TMO review when the outcome is clear after a short number of replays. An FPRO or TMO conducting an off-field review cannot recommend a permanent red card.

In non-elite rugby, every red card is permanent and the player may not be replaced.

World Rugby lets each union or competition choose an option before the competition starts, depending on technology and resources:

• TMO but no FPRO: the TMO may take on the off-field review, with extra support so normal TMO duties continue.
• TMO but no off-field review (technology or staff not adequate): the referee, ARs and TMO decide every card at the time of the incident.
• No TMO or FPRO: the referee, after consulting the ARs, decides on the field. A red card with arms crossed is a 20-minute red; without, it is permanent.

"Referee" here means in consultation with the ARs or after a TMO review.

Under Law 9.29, a player who commits a second yellow-card offence must be sent off, and play restarts with a penalty.

In elite rugby, World Rugby's 20-minute red card guideline says:

• Two yellow cards leading to a red card become a 20-minute red card, so the player can be replaced after 20 minutes of playing time.
• If the second offence meets the intentional and highly dangerous threshold, it is treated as a permanent red card, not a second yellow.
• The second incident can still be reviewed by the FPRO or TMO, who may recommend a 20-minute red card. Officials should still communicate that outcome to players and stakeholders, even though the result is the same.

World Rugby's match official signals and the 20-minute red card guideline:

When an off-field review upgrades a yellow card, the referee shows the red card followed by the arms-crossed signal.

Not automatically.

• TMO: under Law 6.15 a TMO is used only if the match organiser appoints one. Without one, the referee and assistant referees make every decision on the field.
• 20-minute red card replacement: Law 9.30 applies it to elite rugby only. World Rugby defines elite rugby as a professional level of rugby, determined by individual unions or competitions. Everywhere else, a player sent off may not be replaced.

World Rugby moved the 20-minute red card replacement and the role of the TMO from global law trials into full law from 1 July 2026, effective for new competitions starting after that date.