French authorities are joining forces with players to oppose plans by World Rugby to introduce a 20-minute red card.

French rugby chiefs have condemned the proposed trial of the 20-minute red card in elite levels of the game around the world, saying it could encourage more aggressive play and expose players to greater risk of injury.

According to Six Nations Rugby, the red card variation that will be introduced during the autumn tests ensures that players deemed to commit deliberate and dangerous offences receive the full sanctioning, and subsequent disciplinary process, with the team being reduced to 14 men for the remainder of the game.

Rugby union has been adept at law trial for decades, but the proposition to bring 20-minute red cards into the game was a point of disagreement between leading players on