Rugby World Cup to consider 'Orange cards' to review on-field decisions

A form of the yellow card review system is currently being trialled in Super Rugby Pacific and it could be fast-tracked into the global showpiece hosted by France this autumn.

While players can still be given a red card for instances of foul play, the referee has the option of showing a yellow that can then be upgraded to red on review by the TMO if deemed necessary.

The idea of the initiative is to speed up the game by reducing the number of on-field replays of incidents while also dealing with contentious on-field red-card decisions, of which rugby has had more than its fair share of late.

In the recent Six Nations, England fullback Freddie Steward was controversially sent off for a dangerous challenge on Ireland's Hugo Keenan during the March 18 encounter in Dublin, but the card was subsequently rescinded by a disciplinary panel.

"This is an operation being tested in Super Rugby," World Rugby's Joel Jutge told Midi Olympique.

"In the event of a 50-50 decision, the referee has the possibility of giving a yellow card so that the game can resume as soon as possible, while the TMO has 10 minutes of temporary expulsion to decide whether this should be turned into a permanent expulsion.

"We would give orange cards, clearly."