Sky Sports introduces Try Line Cameras

A camera will be placed at each corner flag providing a view along each tryline not possible with traditional camera positions.

It is the first time in worldwide rugby union broadcasting that such angles will be made available not just to viewers, but also video referees who will have access to the footage when adjudging whether a ball has been grounded correctly or has reached the line.

Martin Turner, executive producer for Sky Sports' rugby union coverage, said: "These cameras will provide a perspective we haven't seen before in a crucial area of the pitch. The new angles will hopefully help to remove much of the doubt surrounding close try decisions. I have little doubt that they'll be welcomed by video referees and viewers alike."

The cameras will be introduced for Sky's live coverage of the Heineken Cup and the Guinness Premiership, starting with London Wasps' opener against Munster at Ricoh Arena on Saturday.

Each camera is remote controlled by an operator in the Sky Sports outside broadcast truck.

Sky Sports is renowned for technical innovations within its BAFTA winning rugby union coverage, many of which have become the broadcast standard.

This season Sky introduced 'Zoom box' technology, providing video referees and viewers a closer insight into play by magnifying replay footage.

Last season Sky Sports introduced Hi Motion to its rugby union coverage, providing instant replays of up to 300 frames per second during live matches.

Sky Sports' unparalleled live rugby union coverage includes almost 200 live matches a year with coverage from the domestic, European and international levels.

All Guinness Premiership, England home internationals plus selected Heineken Cup matches shown by Sky are done so in High Definition, providing viewers with a cinema-like experience for those with compatible systems.

The coverage is presented by Simon Lazenby with Miles Harrison and Stuart Barnes in the commentary box. Studio guests throughout the coverage include Will Greenwood, Dewi Morris, Michael Lynagh and Ieuan Evans while Graham Simmons and Melissa Platt are the touchline reporters.