Ireland rugby legend and La Rochelle head coach, Ronan O’Gara, has fiercely criticized World Rugby over their latest controversial proposal.
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What’s the Deal with the 20-Minute Red Card?
While the traditional red card remains for “deliberate and dangerous” foul play, teams can now breathe a little easier with the introduction of the 20-minute red card for technical offences, such as accidental head contact.
This means a player can be temporarily sent off for 20 minutes, allowing a teammate to step in and fill the gap. It’s a game-changing moment that could redefine strategies on the pitch!
O’Gara’s fiery response
“My thoughts would be strong, the 20-minute red card is nonsense,” O’Gara said.
“I don’t see where it fits into the game.”
“We’re always trying to learn how to make the game better. A red card is a serious act of foul play. If it’s a serious act of foul play, there’s no place in the game for 20 minutes [red cards].
“It’s quite simple if it warrants a red card and the criteria and process around awarding a red card is quite strict – but nowadays is strict the right word to use because there’s a difference of opinion on nearly every single rule in the game of rugby and a different perception in terms of headshots and height and intent.
“A 20-minute red card I think it opens the door, especially for player safety, we could be re-entering dangerous territory again.”
France and Ireland: Voices of Caution
Not everyone is on board with this new rule, though. The French Rugby Federation has voiced strong opposition to the idea of the 20-minute red card completely replacing permanent removal, calling it an “unacceptable step backwards”for player safety.
Similarly, the Irish Rugby Football Union echoes these sentiments, asserting that while they support the trial, they do not want it to replace the more severe permanent sanctions.
Nigel Owens has also seriously questioned its introduction in a column for Wales Online.
However, the trial is set to proceed as planned, with Julie Paterson, chief of rugby at Six Nations Rugby, emphasising that player safety will always be the top priority. “No trial or subsequent change is considered without utter confidence that player safety and welfare is front and centre,” she stated.
Fans, Get Ready for Some Real-Time Action!
But that’s not all! The autumn internationals are set to bring even more excitement with referees now able to broadcast directly to the crowd and TV audience, explaining their reasoning behind key decisions—just like in American Football! This could make for some captivating viewing as fans gain insights into the referee’s mind.
Additionally, a 60-second ‘shot clock’ will be implemented for penalties and conversions, keeping the pace lively. Referees will also ensure scrums and line-outs are set within 30 seconds of making a mark, further adding to the game’s tempo.
A New Era for Rugby?
Paterson believes these law trials represent a significant opportunity to engage a broader audience while enhancing the experience for passionate fans. “Everyone in rugby understands that there is a huge opportunity to capture the attention of a far broader audience,” she said, hinting at exciting times ahead for rugby enthusiasts.
Mark your calendars—the autumn internationals kick off on 2 November with England facing New Zealand and Scotland hosting Fiji. Will these new rules shake things up? Only time will tell.
Autumn internationals fixtures
(All times GMT)
Week one
Saturday, November 2
- England v New Zealand, Twickenham, 3.10pm
- Scotland v Fiji, Murrayfield, 5.40pm
Week two
Friday, November 8
- Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
Saturday, November 9
- England v Australia, Twickenham, 3.10pm
- Italy v Argentina, Stadio Friuli (Udine), 5.40pm
- France v Japan, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Sunday, November 10
- Wales v Fiji, Principality Stadium, 1.40pm
- Scotland v South Africa, Murrayfield, 4.10pm
Week three
Friday, November 15
- Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, 8.10pm
Saturday, November 16
- Scotland v Portugal, Murrayfield, 3.10pm
- England v South Africa, Twickenham, 5.40pm
- France v New Zealand, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Sunday, November 17
- Italy v Georgia, Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Genoa), 1.40pm
- Wales v Australia, Principality Stadium, 4.10pm
Week four
Friday, November 22
- France v Argentina, Stade de France, 8.10pm
Saturday, November 23
- Ireland v Fiji, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
- Wales v South Africa, Principality Stadium, 5.40pm
- Italy v New Zealand, Allianz Stadium (Turin), 8.10pm
Sunday, November 24
- Scotland v Australia, Murrayfield, 1.40pm
- England v Japan, Twickenham, 4.10pm
Week five
Saturday, November 30
- Ireland v Australia, Aviva Stadium, 3.10pm
Danny Care selects his British & Irish Lions XV, picks the “best scrum-half”
In a Lions XV selection that’s sure to spark some heated pub debates, Danny Care – yes, the man with over 100 caps for England – has handpicked his “best scrum-half” for next summer’s tour to Australia.
Spoiler alert: it’s not a Welshman. In fact, there’s not a single Welsh player in the entire lineup! Care and fellow former England international Mark Atkinson have chosen a squad packed with English and Irish stars, leaving the Welsh out in the cold.
Tomos Williams Tease – The One Welshman Who Almost Made It
Williams was the only Welsh name brought up on Care’s Hits Different podcast, with Atkinson saying, “I’ve seen a big impact from him joining Gloucester. He’s got 40-odd Wales caps [58 now], and if there’s one Welsh player to make the tour, it’s him.” But even that wasn’t enough to earn him a place in their Lions XV.
Care, meanwhile, was clear in his verdict: Ireland’s Jamison Gibson-Park is “the best scrum-half” around, with Alex Mitchell close behind. Sorry, Tomos!
Smith vs Russell: English Flair Wins the 10 Battle
The surprises didn’t stop there – Care and Atkinson picked England’s Marcus Smith over Scotland’s Finn Russell at No. 10, while the midfield saw a bruising combination of Ireland’s Bundee Aki and England’s Ollie Lawrence.
Feyi-Waboso? Yes, Please!
Another shocker? The Cardiff-born Immanuel Feyi-Waboso made the wing, alongside Scotland’s Duhan van der Merwe. And, to cap it all off, England’s George Furbank took the full-back spot over Ireland’s Hugo Keenan.
Danny Care and Mark Atkinson’s Lions XV:
15. George Furbank: An agile fullback known for his versatility and impressive kicking game, Furbank has made a name for himself with his ability to read the game and contribute in attack and defense.
14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso: A rising star in the rugby scene, Feyi-Waboso is recognized for his explosive speed and powerful running style, making him a significant threat on the wing.
13. Ollie Lawrence: A dynamic centre with a strong physical presence, Lawrence excels in breaking tackles and creating space for his teammates, contributing both defensively and offensively.
12. Bundee Aki: A seasoned centre known for his robust tackling and strong ball-carrying abilities, Aki brings experience and leadership to the midfield, often acting as a key playmaker.
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