England fear the All Blacks have been handed an unfair advantage for their opening Test match of the autumn after a series of new laws were introduced at short notice. After New Zealand, England also face Australia, South Africa and Eddie Jones’s Japan in the following weekends. The law variations include a version of a 20-minute red card as well as 60-second shot-clocks for kickers and 30-second limits on the formation of scrums and line-outs. Two yellows will equal a 20-minute red card, unless the second offence warrants a full red in itself. The standalone 20-minute red card alternative, which has no permanent dismissal, is due to be discussed by the World Rugby Council next month, and has been vehemently criticised by France and Ireland.
