Rugby was one of the first ball sports to adopt video refereeing, as early as 2001. It could go further by putting sensors on players and in the ball. Because it must be recognized, even with video, it is sometimes difficult to judge an offside or a "forward" rugby. For the record, the offside is when the player is positioned in front of the ball. The "front" is when you make a pass forward. So it's sometimes very subtle.
So, we are currently testing sensors in the ball and on the jerseys to instantly warn the referees when a player is wrongly positioned relative to the ball. This would avoid controversy and back and forth to check the slow motion. The game will be more fluid.
Tests in Rugby-X
Researchers are also working on a device for melee, where it is often difficult to understand something. We would like to have a small camera in the middle to find out what is happening and be able to punish the low shots. But we have not found anything yet.
On the other hand, the sensors on the jersey will also be able to point out the dangerous gestures: the loads on the shoulder, the too high tackings for example. Here, too, we should avoid some of the controversies that are known during the World Cup in Japan. And since the sensors also measure the violence of the impact, it makes it possible to prevent the doctors automatically in the event of a big shock. Because there have been some dramas recently.
Regarding the date of introduction of these new assistance to arbitration, nothing has been decided yet for classic rugby. But it starts in the Rugby-X, the new full-contact competition that is played with two teams on a half-field. And if it works, chances are that it will be resumed quickly in classic competitions.