We've seen it in Super Rugby in Australia, now thanks to Canal Plus, French Top 14 fans will also be able to enjoy the revolutionary new angles and point of view that Ref Cam brings. It made it's debut in France during the Stade Francais vs Toulon game, as you can see in the above video.

We get to see Poite kitted out before the match, then a montage of shots from during gameplay.

Does watching Ref Cam give you newfound respect for referees, and what do you think of it in general; amazing, or fad that won't become the norm? Let us know as a comment below!

Time: 5:07
Credit: Canal Plus

Posted at 9:25 pm | 24 comments

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Quick clip for today's funny that comes to us from the same game that was featured yesterday, as Saracens hosted Harlequins in the Avivia Premiership last weekend.

Mako Vunipola had a great game for the home side, and on one of the many replays showing his big carries, an unfortunate fan found himself badly positioned underneath the stands..

Posted at 6:56 pm | 3 comments

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Bhubesi Pride 2013 is going well as sustainable change is taking place in every African village or town they visit. Today we catch up with the first part of the trip, and hear from one of the senior members, who first learnt about the intiative right here on RD.

We've supported and been involved with the progression of Bhubesi Pride for almost three years now, helping where possible as one man's vision has become a reality that has literally changed the lives, minds, and futures of all those involved.

In the last two months the team have already coached hundreds of young African children, both male and female, and have empowered numerous members of teaching and support staff across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda.

View more of the latest photos and updates at rugbyinafrica.org

Today we hear from team member Mike Coogan (pictured second from the right in the top photo), as he shares his experience with us, from the day he first heard about Bhubesi Pride.

"Thank you, Rugbydump. In under one week you have made me smile so much my face hurt," says Mike, a rugby coach from Dunstable with 25 years experience.

"All those months ago when I started using your website for the latest news on whats happening in the rugby world, I happened to spot a video which showed a group of smiling children playing rugby, so curiosity got the better of me and I clicked play.

"I did not know at the time but the next couple of minutes was going to change my life forever.

"The video was from a Bhubesi Pride trip to one of the many schools they coach rugby at, and it was asking if it was something I wanted to do? I applied that same day.

"The project founder Richard Bennett took me through several interviews and his enthusiasm for the project, together with his great sense of humour, convinced me I needed to join the 2013 team.

"The rest is history as they say and here I am in a remote village, sitting under an Ethiopian sky next to an Ethiopian archaeological dig dating back to 2,000 years before Christ, with a Frenchman, American, Mexican, South African and two fellow Brits.

"In my wildest dreams I could never imagine this.

"Once again thank you Rugbydump, not just for your fantastic website (which any aspiring coach should visit), but for helping to make a dream come true." - Mike Coogan

Visit RugbyinAfrica.org to follow their latest updates, photos and blogs, and apply for 2014

They still have a long way to go, so catch up with project progress below and please leave a comment of support for the guys as they are doing wonderful work all through Africa.

Posted at 3:02 pm | 1 comments

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Saracens winger Chris Ashton was yellow carded for a dangerous high tackle he made on Harlequins forward Maurie Fa'asavalu in the Aviva Premiership last weekend. A suspension looked likely, but he has been cleared and faces no further punishment.

On his Premiership return following a disappointing Six Nations with England, Ashton stuck out a swinging arm as Quins upped the tempo after a Mike Brown break.

His hand seemed to connect with big Fa'asavalu and floored him. Ashton's remorse was clear to see but referee Greg Garner refereed to the TMO, who then recommended a sin-binning.

It was Ashton's fifth yellow card of the season and after a careful video review from RFU citing officer Bruce Reece-Russel, it was concluded that the appropriate action was taken by the officials.

"He mistimed the challenge, there was no intent to cause any harm it was just one of those things," said Saracens Director of Rugby, Mark McCall. "He's been brilliant all week for a guy who's taken some criticism over the last few weeks so it is disappointing."

Ashton turns 26 tomorrow so will no doubt be pleased to be free to play against Wasps on Saturday.

You can view a highlights wrap of the Saracens vs Harlequins game here

Posted at 8:10 pm | 63 comments

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Young flyhalf Ian Madigan starred at the RDS as Leinster beat Glasgow Warriors 22-17 in last weekend's RaboDirect PRO12 game. In the second half he pulled off a risky chip kick from behind his own try line, and he also scored a nicely taken try.   

Leinster fans have been crowing at the performance of 23-year-old Madigan, seen as the natural successor to star Jonny Sexton, who is leaving for Racing Metro at the end of the season.

Madigan picked up the Man of the Match for his showing against the Warriors, which included scoring all of Leinster's points and threatening in open play on regular occasion.

Glasgow scored two first half tries but Madigan's late converted try, and his five from five penalty kicks, proved the difference as Leinster cemented their place at the top of the PRO12 table.

"Ian is growing as a player all the time. He has an ability to change up and exploit gaps, particularly a soft shoulder on a forward if he sees an opportunity, coach Joe Schmidt told The Score.

"I know Ian well, he knows me well. I would be inclined to take the pressure off him and say, play what you see in front of you, play your natural game. Otherwise, you get players trying to force things and that's not a good mental state to approach a game," he added.

You can view a highlights wrap of the match here

Below is his Quade Cooper-esque chip from behind his tryline, and the try he scored later on

Posted at 6:07 pm | 14 comments

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Fiji came back from 19-0 down to win the Hong Kong Sevens Final 26-19 last weekend, but in fairly controversial circumstances after star Ilai Tinai received a yellow card for what could have been a red. He has since been suspended.

An awkward looking first half tackle on Lee Williams was deemed to have been worthy of only a yellow card, despite the dangerous nature of the landing.

Williams wasn't injured and Tinai was sin-binned only, which in Sevens equates to just two minutes off the field. A red card sending off could have possibly given Wales the advantage needed to hang on and claim their first ever Hong Kong Sevens title.

It's scant consolation for the runners up now, but Fiji will be without Tinai for the upcoming Tokyo Sevens leg as he was banned for five weeks by an IRB disciplinary committee.

Fiji have called up Japan based Josefa Lilidamu as a replacement.

It's not often that we see big suspensions in Sevens, but in this case it can be said that the tackle, and lack of on-field punishment, might have affected the outcome of the result. Your thoughts?

Posted at 10:13 pm | 29 comments

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This is a quick look at a pretty amazing try scored by replacement prop Dean Irvine in last year's Oxford vs Cambridge Under 21 match at Twickenham. Oxford won 31-17.

Two week's ago we posted Rugby HQ's Top Five Intercepts Of All Time and some of you left comments linking to other great tries. One such comment mentioned an incredible intercept try scored last year by a prop of all people, so after a bit of a discussion and some digging, here it is.

The try was scored by Oxford's Dean Irvine, who admittedly looks as though he's yet to fill out, but showed serious toe after intercepting, snuffing out Cambridge's three-man overlap.

Irvine ran the full length of the pitch and maintained his impressive speed before diving in under the sticks for what was not only a fantastic intercept, but a brilliant sprint and finish by a front rower.

Thanks to Will who first brought this classic moment up in the comments

Posted at 5:33 pm | 18 comments

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