Orange Card

Nigel Owens backs introduction of 'orange card'

The orange card was one of a slew of reffing recommendations given by World Rugby this week, designed to provide national member unions with further Covid-19 transmission risk reduction measures if required.

The card would see players removed from the field for 15 minutes for certain high tackle offences, but would lead to an automatic citing as is the norm with the traditional red cards. Crucially, the incident could then be reviewed by ‘Hawk Eye’, who could then upgrade the decision to a red card.

Orange card and extended sin bin as World Rugby confirm 10 trial rules

Optional law amendments limiting contact in scrums, the number of players in a maul, and the duration of rucks have also been given the green light by the sport's governing body in the hope of reducing the risk of possible transmission of Covid-19 during the pandemic.

World Rugby confirmed the changes but have left national unions to decide whether to adopt the amendments at elite or community level depending on the prevalence of the virus in their territory and the advice from government and public health authorities. There has already been resistance from New Zealand.