The Top 14 is set for a host of new rule changes ahead of the 2018/19 season, with 12 substitutions and a blue card to be introduced.
With the fixture list to be announced tomorrow, the rule changes were confirmed today. A blue card will be shown to anyone the referee suspects has suffered a concussion. If a player is shown a blue card, a 10-day rest period will be enforced.
Top 14 fixtures out tomorrow and big changes:
- 12 subs allowed (players can come back for injuries, blood bins, HIAs, front row cards)
- Blue card from ref to definitively remove players suspected of concussion
- 10-day enforced rest after a blue cardhttps://t.co/yK5LzwTIJ1— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) July 4, 2018
Matchday squads will remain at 23 but 12 subs including blood subs, injuries and concussions are now permitted.
The measures were recommended by the FFR-LNR Medical Observatory. The blue card was trialed in Federal 1 and the Top 8 women. The last new measure will also require clubs to have a minimum medical presence on 5 half-days per week.
The substitution rule has come in for some criticism online, as it may see teams focus on power and size instead of endurance. The Top 14 returns to action next month.
