O2 has launched a new smartphone app for armchair rugby fans, allowing users to listen in to the live feed from the referee's microphone.
As well as hearing the comments from the ref, fans may also be able to pick up on the conversations between players on the field, bringing fans watching from home closer to the action.
The Matchday app uses the RefLink service that has been available to fans from inside the rugby grounds. Fans who go to games at Twickenham will still have to use this service as the app won't work inside the ground due to licensing restrictions.
Matchday provides fans with details about the upcoming game, with previews, head-to-head details and highlighting which players to look out for. Squad and team details are listed, plus live in-game stats, and the score.
The updated Matchday app will give England fans a first chance to try out the RefLink service this coming weekend for the England match against France, with the next game coming with England's game against Italy in March.
“We are delighted to be working with O2 to bring RefLink to those fans not fortunate enough to be at England games at Twickenham,” said RefLink Director, Jonathan Downey. “O2 Matchday allows them to experience what thousands do inside the stadium, a live feed from the ref during the game. Delivering this service with O2 to smartphones is a logical next step and we are really excited about the development.”
The O2 Matchday app with RefLink is available for the iPhone 3G S, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, plus the iPod Touch 3rd, 4th and 5th Gen and the iPad. The app needs iOS 5 or later. A version for Android is in the works and will be released shortly.