Hawk-Eye to combat concussion

THE PRO12 will try to limit the number of head injuries and concussions by implementing Hawk-Eye technology next season.

As the league prepares to expand from 12 teams to 14 with the introduction of South African sides Cheetahs and Southern Kings, Hawk-Eye cameras will help monitor the players on the field for the first time using SMART Replay technology.

The cameras, which are similar to the ones already used in football, cricket and tennis, are set to be in place at every game.

They will be linked to monitors in each coaching box, allowing doctors and medical staff to slow down and repeat footage to review incidents which may have seen a player suffer a head blow.

Hawk-Eye cameras have been used in other sports but their use in the PRO12 will be slightly different in that the cameras will not solely focus on the ball, but the collisions around it and the possible dangers that may cause.