Hawkeye is coming to rugby this weekend as Welsh club Scarlets are to trial the system during their Pro 12 game against Munster.
World Rugby (formerly the IRB) are set to trial the system in conjunction with broadcasters ITV and Sky Sports ahead of the 2015 World Cup, reports Wales Online.
Saturday’s trial will be followed with further trials during the Pro 12 season and then at the World Under-20 championships in Italy later this year.
Wales Online reports that, “The idea is to determine how new technology can enhance player welfare, while strengthening the accuracy and efficiency of the television match official (TMO) decision-making process.”
The TMO official will now have access to the Hawkeye system, allowing them to utilise a variety of different angles simultaneously, in both real time and slow motion using Hawkeye’s ‘SMART Replay’ system.
World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said: “Technology is an important component of the rugby performance and fan engagement environments and Rugby World Cup 2015 is set to showcase innovation and performance to a record global audience."
The technology is also envisaged as a method for protecting player welfare, which is particularly pertinent in Wales currently following the controversy surrounding George North’s recent concussion during a Six Nations game against England.
"Central to our sport is the integrity of player welfare and the match official decision making process and we are delighted to be collaborating with Hawk-Eye, ITV as well as Pro12 Rugby and Sky to determine how we can enhance speed and accuracy in these critical areas," Gosper said.
“While this is not a fait accompli, we’re excited by the proposed system developed by Hawk-Eye that has clear benefits for the match official team, the medical team and fans around the world.”
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