Rugby union's most visible technological advances have been reserved for match officials. The game, after all, does not require a lot of sophisticated equipment - just a field, an oval-shaped ball and 30-odd willing individuals, as well as a man with the whistle.

Today's referees, however, now wear microphones, allowing them to relay information to both their linesmen and to broadcasters in an attempt to clarify their decision-making. Spectators willing to pay for the service can also listen in.

The most important change, however, has been the introduction of a TV match official who can be consulted by the referee to check if a try has been legitimately scored. The referee phrases his questions to the TV official as he chooses - such as Is there any reason why I cannot award a try - before taking the final decision himself.

Such changes in other sports have sparked controversy but they have been adopted relatively smoothly by rugby union. The process has tended to be quick, efficient and valuable. Match referees have almost universally welcomed the back-up rather than seeing it as an erosion of their authority.

Rugby's other technological innovations have been less visible and have concentrated on the increasingly professional mental and physical preparation of players.

Long gone are those amateur days when props and hookers got ready for matches with a few beers (and celebrated afterwards with a few more pints of beer and aftershave). Backroom specialists have proliferated exponentially as science has replaced the alcohol.

Sir Clive Woodward, who guided England to the 2003 World Cup, was a trail-blazer, introducing experts from other fields to try and give his team an edge. Mental and peripheral vision coaches were employed, while decompression chambers were used to help heal injuries faster.

Even the England shirts underwent change. Out went the traditional heavy cotton jerseys to be replaced by tight-fitting, state-of-the-art fabrics which absorbed moisture vapour, allowed sweat to be dispersed away from the skin while improving ventilation.