Sanzaar’s drive to introduce the 20-minute red card to Test rugby will reportedly go to a World Rugby vote in May.

The law, which has been a regular feature in Super Rugby since 2020, allows a team to replace a red-carded player after 20 minutes.

Sanzaar chief executive Brendan Morris told Stuff.co.nz that after attending the recent World Rugby ‘Shape of the Game’ forum in London, a proposal has been made for the general council to vote on at the next meeting in May.

In order for the 20-minute red card to be advanced to a global trial, it would need a 75% majority of the council vote.

“But where we ended up is that the recommendation through to World Rugby’s council meeting on May 9 is that we’re looking to go to a global trial.

“For that to be accepted, you’ve got to get a 75% majority vote of the voting members of council.”

There are, however, concerns over player welfare and whether a 20-minute red card is enough of a deterrent for dangerous play.

However, Morris said the law could be accompanied by tougher off-field sanctions.

“The introduction of the 20-minute cards is not going backwards, but it’s about getting everything on-field and off-field aligned. The sanctions off-field may to go up a little bit to make it more a deterrent.“