Tommy Bowe Calls For 20 Minute Red Card After Freddie Steward Incident

Tommy Bowe has called on World Rugby for the 20 minute red card law to be trialled across the globe, after the Six Nations red card incident involving Freddie Steward and Hugo Keenan on Saturday.

Fans and pundits were split on Jaco Peyper's decision to show red to Steward, with some arguing that it was an unavoidable 'rugby incident', with others saying that this didn't matter and that Steward could have avoided the accident.

What is agreed upon is that it effectively ended England's already slim chances at claiming a famous victory, and Tommy Bowe has argued that the 20 minute law - which is being trialled in Super Rugby and allows a team to substitute the red carded player after 20 minutes - would help keep games from ending as a contest at such an early stage.

But while Ireland will rightly soak up the plaudits, you have to give England credit. Steve Borthwick's side were at a low ebb after a crushing defeat by France at Twickenham, but they showed plenty of fight and made it awkward for Ireland.

England were only four points down when Freddie Steward was sent off for colliding with Hugo Keenan.

By the letter of the law, it was probably the right call, but it's another incident that shows the need for a 20-minute red card in rugby. Super Rugby has been trialling it, but World Rugby must consider a global trial.

Tommy Bowe Wants 20 Minute Red Card

18 March 2023; Referee Jaco Peyper speaks to Owen Farrell of England, right, and Freddie Steward, second from right, after showing Freddie Steward a red card during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

"In saying that, however, I would have been confident of an Ireland win against a 15-man England," Bowe added.

"There is something special about this Irish side. They always find a way to win. It's what set them apart in the Six Nations. For them, the World Cup can't come soon enough."

Some would argue that this reduced penalty for a red card offence would lead to players being more reckless, but Bowe has stated previously that to counter this he bring in stricter bans and fines for repeat offenders.