English rugby to trial new 'smart' ball

English rugby union's Premiership Rugby Cup will from this week feature trials of a new 'smart' ball that aims to gives coaches, players and fans greater insight about the game.

Chips inside the ball are in touch with sensors around the stadium up to 20 times every second.

An artificial intelligence tool then automatically enables "precise information and insights about the ball's movement when it is passed and kicked -- such as speed, distance and hang-time, for example - to be seen in real-time", Premiership Rugby said Wednesday.

The trial marks the first time the ball, in development for several years, will be used in a professional competition in the Northern Hemisphere.

The ball will feature in the last 15 matches of the cup competition, starting with three fixtures on Friday.

"We are constantly looking at innovations and ways to grow the game and we are delighted to have chosen to trial this new smart ball," said Phil Winstanley, rugby director at Premiership Rugby.