Orange cards could be introduced ahead of the Rugby World Cup later this year.
The orange card will act as a type of yellow card review system, similar to a system that has been trialled in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
Players can be shown an orange card for an offense that the referee deems worthy of a yellow, but will be reviewed by the TMO during the 10-minute sin-bin.
If the TMO deems the offense to be worthy of a sending-off, an orange card will be shown to signal that the yellow card offense has been upgraded to a red card.
The logic behind the idea is to speed the game up and reduce lengthy stoppages for the review of contentious decisions.
Freddie Steward's red card against Ireland in the Grand Slam decider last month has been cited as a possible offense that could have been deemed a yellow initially before possibly being upgraded.
“This is an operation being tested in Super Rugby,” World Rugby’s Joel Jutge told Midi Olympique.
“In the event of a 50-50 decision, the referee has the possibility of giving a yellow card so that the game can resume as soon as possible, while the TMO has 10 minutes of temporary expulsion to decide whether this should be turned into a permanent expulsion.
“We would give orange cards, clearly.”
READ NEXT:
Bohs go six clear as Declan Devine makes happy return to Derry City
Paul Townend shines on I Am Maximus to win first Boylesports Irish Grand National
Ken Doherty comes up short in World Championship qualification bid
Rachael Blackmore recovered from two falls to ride in Irish Grand National
Rory McIlroy withdraws from RBC Heritage after Masters disappointment
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
