"What on earth?" - Fans confused after seeing picture of Six Nations balls being charged up

RUCK’s 2024 Guinness Six Nations content powered by ISUZU.

Fans have been left extremely confused after seeing an image of Six Nations balls being charged up before the opening game this weekend.

The Smartphone changed the landscape of the world forever and it now seems the introduction of the Smart Ball could have the same effect on rugby.

Each rechargeable ball, in a phenomenal feat of engineering, contains a micro-tracking chip within which does not affect performance or flight, and communicates up to 20 times per second via radio frequency technology with 10 beacons placed around the stadium.

The net result is that, after five years and thousands of hours of research, trialling and development, the artificially intelligent Smart Ball can instantly track, in real time and 3D, ball location and movement within centimetres, and is even able to instantly differentiate the type of kick made, be it a box-kick, tactical kick, kick to touch, kick for goal or grubber kick.

It can then provide information such as distance, hang-time, speed and spin within milliseconds, meaning the endpoint of a kick or the length of time it hung in the air is provided upon the ball's landing, wirelessly, with no delay.

Watching fans are thus afforded access to the distance, speed, gain and effectiveness of kicks or passes within seconds on broadcast. 'Reload time' can show which players have the quickest hands, for example.

Referees are expected to take action against negative player actions such as trapping players in the ruck, and players not attempting to play the ball in jackall situations.

A statement says: "Players are reminded about their responsibilities not to hold the ball or walk off with the ball at penalties – this reduces attacking options by the non-offending team and slows the game down unnecessarily and will be sanctioned."

One of the most noteworthy modifications is the introduction of the shot clock, designed to ramp up the pace of the game and eliminate time-wasting tactics.

Teams will now face the pressure of time constraints, with a mere 90 seconds allotted for taking a conversion after scoring a try.

The urgency intensifies during penalty kicks, where teams have just 60 seconds to execute. In addition, the shot clock imposes stricter time limits on lineouts and scrums, reducing their duration to a brisk 30 seconds. Furthermore, the ball must now be released from the ruck within a mere 5 seconds, ensuring a faster and more dynamic flow to the game.

Another major shake-up awaiting fans in the 2024 Six Nations is the utilization of the Bunker, a feature familiar from its recent appearance during the Summer Nations Series.

Match officials will now have the option to consult the Foul Play Review Official stationed in the 'Bunker' when faced with unclear or ambiguous incidents of foul play, particularly when two big screen replays fail to provide a decisive verdict.

This adjustment serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it prevents prolonged interruptions to the game as officials strive for accurate decisions on contentious incidents.

Secondly, after a yellow card is issued, it allows the Foul Play Review Official an extended timeframe to deliberate on the necessity of a red card, all while the on-field action continues.

Get your tickets for the 2024 Six Nations at viagogo, the world’s leading ticket marketplace.

The Television Match Official (TMO), responsible for scrutinizing match action from a distance, is also undergoing a shift in its role.

In the 2024 Six Nations, TMOs can now only interrupt play to investigate instances of serious or dangerous play that may have escaped the attention of the on-field referee.

This modification ensures that TMO interventions are reserved for situations of significant impact, maintaining the fluidity of the game.

As the 2024 Six Nations approaches, these changes promise to enhance the overall viewing experience, blending tradition with innovation for a captivating display of rugby prowess.

Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.

Surnames only will be accepted.