World Rugby are trialling a single offsite location for their TMOs in two global competitions this summer. Various competitions/unions have tested it in various parts of the world (eg MLR, PWR, Rugby Europe) but this is the first time it’s been tested at the top international levels.
The World Rugby Nations Cup (in various locations across north and south America) and the Georgian-located Junior World Championships are both using a single remote site in the UK to deliver TMO technology and decisions back to the on field officials.
This is part of a programme World Rugby have kick-started to look at the optimal TMO scope and use of technology as a core commitment for the game.
The TMO hub, based out of Hawk-Eye’s Basingstoke facility in Southern England, aims to increase speed, consistency and accuracy of decisions, while reducing cost to the game. The officials have access to all camera angles independent of broadcast direction as well as innovations such as Hawk-Eye’s split screen and zoom functionality. Technologically speaking, there is a delay between the two locations, but its a delay of about 200 milliseconds and not many seconds as some may envisage.
Minimum standards
The match official technology couples with a new direction on new minimum standards for technology providers, operators and broadcasters. The aimed at impriving consistency of provision, reducing delays and increasing accuracy.
Currently, TMOs and Foul Play Review Officers are on location at matches, using a variety of technologies and set-ups. The trial builds on previous remote Foul Play Review Officer locations at Roland Garos for Rugby World Cup 2023 and at the Allianz Stadium Twickenham for RWC2025. For both of those tournamenrs, the TMO travelled with the onfield teams and were situated within the stadium compound.
World Rugby is promoting a series of minimum standards that international-level competitions must meet to access Television Match Official (TMO) services which will need to be adopted for international matches by August 2027.
What it means
· All camera angles available to broadcast must be made available to the TMO and Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO)
· Footage being displayed to the referee must come directly from the TMO station and control of what images are being shown must be the responsibility of the TMO
· TMO and FPRO operators must be properly qualified in line with World Rugby’s recently developed course
· Technology providers should be able to meet the expected functionality to enable TMOs to review all footage efficiently and thoroughly
In top level international matches this is the norm now. But, in domestic or regional competitions such as the EPCR Champions and Challenge Cups, the provision isnt the same. TMOs there are located in broadcast trucks with limited screens and a single delay feed, with angles having to be requested and then provided by the host director. This has lead to integrity issues being raised after some contentious matches.
Encouraging other competitions
World Rugby is encouraging some, if not all, of the approaches to be applied across the global competition structure, but there is no requirement for them to do so at this time. World Rugby cannot mandate it for competitions outside of their remit and where there may be contractual obligations already established.
World Rugby Chief of Rugby Mark Robinson said, “The use of officiating technology is one of the most debated areas in our sport. It is important for match officials, teams, competition owners and fans that rugby has a consistent, effective and efficient environment in place that can be trusted to deliver the right outcome without impairing the game flow and experience. These innovations are the first steps in a deep dive review of this area. Not only will they aid on-field outcomes, but significantly they also support cost-effectiveness for the game.”
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