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We’ve all seen Ref Cam... now rugby fans have a new way to watch our national game thanks to the introduction of Ball Cam.

Warren Gatland’s Wales team will be pioneers for a piece of revolutionary technology that creators promise will thrust fans right into the centre of the action at this year’s World Cup.

Ball Cam, which has been produced in the UK by technology company AF Optical Solutions, will be used for the first time during Wales’ World Cup warm-up matches against Ireland in August.

If all goes to plan, fans can enjoy the exciting new TV perspective for the entire 80 minutes, using their red button.

It could even be used to help officials make decisions, for example, when there is uncertainty over whether the ball has been grounded over the try line.

It means viewers will be able to see the ball streaming up the wing in George North’s hands, exactly what happens in the darkness of the front-row of a scrum and the impact as the ball is secured in Alun Wyn Jones’ hands from a lineout.

Creator Professor Charles Irving claims: “This device that will completely revolutionise the way you watch rugby.

“We have created a small camera that can be inserted into the rugby ball which will be used to film the action as it’s thrown from hand to hand between the players.

“It will be used in every single game at the World Cup and during Wales’ warm-up games against Ireland and Italy.”

Discussions are ongoing about exactly how broadcasters will use the technology but Professor Irving says if fans want to watch the entire game from inside the hands of the players, they can.

The device also features GPS tracking technology that will be help referees and television match officials make quick and accurate decisions for everything from tries to goal kicks to line calls.

After the rugby experiment, top football, tennis, Test cricket and American Football teams could also buy in as the technology company take their device global.

Prof Irving explained: “If the Rugby World Cup is a success, we’re hoping the Premier League will come on board and we’re currently speaking to Wimbledon and even cricket, although that’s proving a lot more problematic at the moment.

“I’m flying to America this week to speak to American Football teams about using the device in their balls during training sessions and to see if the device can the be used in the leagues over there.”

He chose the start of April to make the public aware of the new way of watching rugby because it marks five months before the beginning of the World Cup, when Gatland’s Wales tangle with hosts England and Australia in the group stages.