'TMO Bunker' to be used for Rugby World Cup warm-up games

A video replay and foul play review systems will be among the innovations set to appear in Ireland's upcoming Rugby World Cup warm-up games, with a view towards implementing the "TMO Bunker" at the tournament in France later this year.

Bunker, Hawk-Eye, Ref Cam, Shot Clock, and Smart Ball will all be featured in the Summer Nations Series, which is being run by Six Nations Rugby.

Ireland take on Italy (5 August), England (19 August) and Samoa (26 August) in their three warm-up games for RWC23.

The new "Bunker" review process and Hawk-Eye will feature in all games in the series to support referees and match officials, and encourage speed of play, Six Nations Rugby said in a statement.

Referees will remain lead decision makers but now can refer foul play to a "Foul Play Review Officer" (FPRO), situated within the Bunker, when a red card is not obvious.

After the player leaves the field for 10 minutes, the FPRO will have up to eight minutes to review the incident using all available technology and footage to communicate the decision to the in-play officiating team. The referee will then either award a yellow or a red card.

The system has been trialed in Super Rugby Pacific in 2023, as well as in the recent World Rugby U20 championship in South Africa.

Hawk-Eye technology will act as independent video replay operator to support referees and the accuracy of their decision making, Six Nations Rugby added.

Shot Clock, Ref Cam and Smart Ball match data, meanwhile, will aim to add to the match day experience for fans in the stadiums and those watching at home.

"Bringing the latest technology, processes and rugby focused innovations into Six Nations Rugby competitions is a core part of helping drive the collective growth of the game," Julie