Boost for video refs as Sky cover all angles

LIFE is getting easier for rugby’s video referees.

New TV camera angles, introduced by Sky Sports for this year’s Heineken Cup, will provide yet another perspective on tryline action — and could help solve key decisions.

Four cameras will be placed at each corner flag providing a view along both trylines that hadn’t previously been possible with traditional camera positions.

It is the first time such views will be available not just to television audiences, but also to the match officials in the gantry who will now have access to the footage when adjudging whether a ball has been grounded correctly or has reached the line.

Martin Turner, Sky’s rugby executive producer, boasted that the new angles will “help to remove much of the doubt surrounding close try decisions”.

Remote controlled by an operator in the outside broadcast truck, each camera is well cushioned against any impact from flying 18 stone forwards by a cosy looking plastic casing.

Contrary to some reports, Sky Sports will be showing live coverage of Leinster’s Heineken Cup game in Toulouse tomorrow night at 8pm.