Referee's decisions set to be broadcast in Premiership

Karl Dickson will be the referee for Bristol's Premiership match against Exeter

The referee's decisions will be broadcast over a stadium public address system in the Premiership for the first time at Bristol Bears' game against Exeter on Saturday.

The trial - which will enable fans to hear the reasoning behind decisions between referees and television match officials - will feature in select fixtures across the league including the Premiership final at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on 14 June.

A similar trial was run in 2021 during the Premiership Rugby Cup and used at Kingsholm during a Gloucester match and London Irish's Madejski Stadium.

Referee microphones are already broadcast into stadiums during international fixtures, including the Six Nations and Autumn Nation Series.

"Being able to hear refereeing decisions clearly explained over the PA system has added hugely to the in-stadium experience for fans during the Autumn Nations Series and Six Nations and we will explore further opportunities across the league," said Guinness Premiership Rugby's chief growth officer Rob Calder.

Karl Dickson will be the referee for Saturday's match, which kicks off at 17:30 GMT at Ashton Gate.

Bristol's chief operating officer Tom Tainton said one of the club's "key objectives" was to make the game "more accessible to new supporters".

"This innovation will not only add to the matchday experience, but help to inform and educate fans in the stadium," he said.

A player microphone was used for the first time in January last year during a Premiership match between Bristol and Bath, with audio being broadcast over television coverage.

Referees also began wearing cameras at the same time, to show more of a close-up view of the match action to those watching at home.