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Welsh rugby will this weekend be at the centre of new revolutionary video technology being trialled ahead of the World Cup later this year.

World Rugby, formerly known as the International Rugby Board, is collaborating with Hawk-Eye Innovations, Rugby World Cup 2015 host broadcaster ITV and Sky Sports to trial video review technology.

The trial will debut on Saturday at the Scarlets’ home match with Munster in Llanelli in partnership with Pro12 Rugby, while further trials will take place in the league and at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy.

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.

While the protocol will be unchanged relating to the questions the referee asks of the TMO, the technology the video official will have available to is being enhanced with access to simultaneous multiple angle replays in real-time and slow motion delivered by Hawk-Eye’s ‘SMART Replay’ technology.

This is already being used by a number of sports including baseball, athletics, horseracing, football, badminton, volleyball and Australian rules football.

The technology works by recording all broadcast angles in real time and making this content available immediately. The player welfare is especially relevant in Wales where George North controversially suffered two blows to the head against England in the Six Nations opener and Cardiff Blues flanker Rory Watts-Jones was yesterday forced to announce his retirement because on concussion related injuries.

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. 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.

“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.”