Referees Corner – Issue 1 – 2025/26 – Sharks

Welcome to another season of Referees Corner. It is great to see a new season kick off here at the Aviva with this game against the Hollywoodbet Sharks. Todays match referee is Craig Evans from the Welsh Rugby Union. Craig began refereeing on the World Rugby Sevens Series in 2016. He has also refereed during the 2020 Olympics. He made his URC / Pro 14 refereeing debut in 2018,and was awarded his first Six Nations Championship match for the match between Italy and Ireland in the 2021 Six Nations Championship. He was appointed to the Tier One select group of referees in June 2021. Evans was voted Principality Premiership Referee of the Year in 2014 and went on to officiate at all Rugby Europe 7s tournaments as well as the Olympic qualifiers. He was previously a personal trainer before joining the WRU. This will be his 12th time refereeing Leinster. 

He is assisted by Keane Davison and Dan Carson of USRFR. We wish the team well today in what should be an entertaining game.

20 Minute Red Card

The BKT United Rugby Championship is adopting the global World Rugby trial of the 20-minute red card law for the 2025/26 season. The trial is designed to protect player welfare, improve accuracy in key decisions, and ensure the game remains fair and competitive for players, teams and fans.

What is the 20-Minute Red Card?

• If a player commits foul play that reaches the red card threshold but is not deliberate or ‘always illegal’, they will receive a 20-minute red card

• The player is removed from the game and cannot return
• After 20 minutes of playing time, the team may bring on an available replacement
• Two yellow cards to the same player in one match will also equal a 20-minute red card

By contrast, permanent red cards will still apply where foul play is highly dangerous, intentional, or ‘always illegal’. In these cases, only the referee can make the decision and the player is sent off for the rest of the game and cannot be replaced.

Examples of 20-Minute Red Cards

• A shoulder charge to the head with low danger or indirect contact
• A tackle or in a ruck clear-out attempt where a player makes head contact despite a genuine attempt to wrap
• High-danger foul play that is not deemed deliberate or always illegal

Examples of Permanent Red Cards

• A shoulder charge to the head with high force and direct contact
• Highly dangerous clear out directly onto or landing on an opponent’s lower limbs at a ruck
• Punching, kicking, headbutts, verbal abuse or any form of violent conduct or acts of ‘thuggery’

Why the Trial Matters

• Accuracy – More detailed review processes help ensure the right sanction is applied
• Player safety – Dangerous actions, especially those involving head contact, are sanctioned firmly to protect players at every level
• Fairness – Teams are not left permanently disadvantaged by unintentional errors, keeping contests competitive and fans engaged

Farewell Hayley

Everyone at Leinster Rugby Referees are equally sad and proud to see our excellent Referee Administrator, Hayley Whyte move on to bigger and better things at Leinster Rugby. We are truly grateful for Hayley’s fantastic 6 years looking after us all. The game has grown to new heights in the last 6 years with appointments nearly doubling, a growth which Hayley took in her stride. She dealt with all problems thrown at her, mainly from the referees, with humour and grace. We wish her well as she moves into a new role this month, as Domestic Competitions Lead. Thanks for everything Hayley.

Want to get involved? 

Referees provide a vital function in servicing all levels of the game. Refereeing is also a fantastic hobby and is increasingly becoming a genuine alternative to playing the game.

Whether you have aspirations to referee at the highest level or to referee locally, there is a place for you. There are excellent support structures in place to develop referees and a thriving social aspect too.

Feel free to make contact with the Leinster Rugby Referees at brendan.conroy@leinsterrugby.ie  If you are interested in becoming a referee get in contact with us through our Facebook, our website www.leinsterrugbyreferees.ie or through X @leinsterreferee.