French authorities are joining forces with players to oppose plans by World Rugby to change its regulations with the introduction of a 20-minute red card, saying it poses a health risk. The sport's governing body said last week that the possibility of replacing a red-carded player with a team-mate after 20 minutes was moving closer to global adoption following “successful trials.

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 Tuesday.

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.

French rugby bodies have issued a combined statement revealing their opposition to World Rugby's plans to institute a global trial of the 20-minute red card.