Wanna see what the ref sees on a rugby pitch? You’ll soon be able to

We can already hear exactly what a referee is saying on a rugby pitch and soon we’ll be able to see exactly what they see as well.

Rugby fans are about to get a whole new perspective on what happens out on the field as this Sunday’s clash between Newcastle Falcons and London Scottish will see the debut of ref-cam, which does exactly what it says on the tin.

According to The Guardian, a three-inch square HD camera will be secured to the shirt of the referee Matt Carley and the footage, including audio, will be available to Sky's directors, while the RFU are set to use it for the purpose of training match officials.

The camera will provide similar footage as that which was provided by US broadcaster HBO during a recent Amir Khan fight – the camera was conveniently sown into the referee’s bow-tie – with the RFU's head of elite referees, Ed Morrison, saying that the footage produced in that instance was "quite incredible".

"I was spellbound," Morrison is quoted as saying The Guardian, with the ‘down the tunnel’ view of the scrums believed to be particularly impressive.

"This is an exciting development and one that we're excited to trial,” he added.

“Not only will it offer a new perspective for viewers but it will also provide us with an additional tool which can be utilised within the ongoing development of our referees."

The technology is set to be trialled at a number of English Championship games and the results will be assessed in the New Year, but if it works it could soon be applied across the board to Rabo PRO 12, Heineken Cup and international fixtures.

If you’re the squeamish type that watches rugby through your fingers as it is it mightn’t be up your alley, but the rest of us mightn’t be as quick to curse the likes of Wayne Barnes or Roman Poite when we can see the game through their eyes.