Six Nations sees FIVE never-before-seen rules introduced for 2025 including 20-minute red cards and no ‘escorts’
NEW rules, a less severe disciplinary system and even a high-tech improvement.
That’s what you’ll see on display at this season’s Six Nations, which gets underway in Paris tonight.
Ireland, who kick off their tournament against England on Saturday, will look to become the first-ever team to win THREE STRAIGHT titles.
The next five weeks will provide a glut of rugby for fans to feast their eyes on.
Although players and fans alike will have to get used to several changes this tournament.
And SunSport is on hand to run through the changes you’ll see in this season’s competiion.
20-minute red cards
The most contentious change, pushed through despite the objections of Ireland and France, will see accidental head contact offences punished less draconically.
While players adjudged guilty of head contact “technical offences” will not be allowed to return to the field they can be replaced after 20 minutes.
Plenty of coaches had complained that dismissals for accidental contact had ruined too many games although the Irish and French argued that player safety would be compromised.
2025 Six Nations Fixtures & TV Schedule
Round 1
France v Wales | January 31 at 8.15pm | ITV
Scotland v Italy | February 1 at 2.15pm | BBC
Ireland v England | February 1 at 4.45pm | ITV
Round 2
Italy v Wales | February 8 at 2.15pm | ITV
England v France | February 8 at 4.45pm | ITV
Scotland v Ireland | February 9 at 3pm | BBC
Round 3
Wales v Ireland | February 22 at 2.15pm | BBC
England v Scotland | February 22 at 4.45pm | ITV
Italy v France | February 23 at 3pm | ITV
Round 4
Ireland v France | March 8 at 2.15pm | ITV
Scotland v Wales | March 8 at 4.45pm | BBC
England v Italy | March 9 at 3pm | ITV
Round 5
Italy v Ireland | March 15 at 2.15pm | ITV
Wales v England | March 15 at 4.45pm | BBC
France v Scotland | March 15 at 8pm | ITV
If a player is sent off for deliberate or dangerous play, they cannot be replaced.
Scrum-half protection
The offside line for opponents is now the mid-point of the scrum, rather than the back foot of the No 8.
That means scrum halves will now be able to play without pressure as opponents are not allowed within a metre until the ball is out.
Conversion shot clock
Kickers will have 60 seconds to tag on the extra two points, matching the limit for penalty goals.
Teams will only have 30 seconds to form a line-out or scrum.
Aerial tennis – and no “escorts”
The new offside law, introduced for the Autumn Series and now being used in the Six Nations for the first time, means players are no longer played onside once the opponent under a high ball has made five metres.
Players in front of the kick must retreat.
But team-mates of the catcher – “escorts” – will be penalised if they block off attacking runners to make it easier to field the ball.
Line-out technology
The ball, with a “Touchfinder” chip inside, will be tracked by computer to ensure the line-out takes place where the ball crossed the touchline.