Law changes – 1 July 2025

In 2025, several significant law changes were introduced in rugby union to enhance gameplay and fairness. These changes include the implementation of a twenty-minute red card system, where players sent off for technical offenses can be replaced after 20 minutes, while permanent red cards remain for deliberate and dangerous acts. Additionally, the “protecting the 9” rule was introduced to safeguard scrum-halves by setting the offside line at the center of the tunnel during scrums and restricting play near the scrum-half. Conversion kicks must now be taken within 60 seconds, down from 90 seconds, and scrums and line-outs must be formed within 30 seconds.

World Rugby has updated its on line Laws book. It can be downloaded at:

https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/laws-by-number