Drones, specs and sensors - meet RFU's 'Q' behind gadgets for England's stars

Drones, specs and sensors - meet RFU's 'Q' behind gadgets for England's starsImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Teenage wing Noah Caluori is one of the England players for whom training has been tailored with specialist technologyByMike HensonBBC Sport rugby union news reporterPublished5 minutes agoCommentsFifteen years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of a genre-defying film.At the peak of his powers, the footballer was the subject of 'docu-mmercial' - his skills scientifically unpicked and assessed as part of a promotion for a car engine oil.It was a success and a key segment went viral., externalIn it, Ronaldo stood eight yards out from goal and waited for a cross. However, as the ball was in mid-flight, the lights were cut, plunging the penalty box into darkness.The Portugal captain found the net all the same, relying on his experience, anticipation and reading of the ball's flight to finish the chance blind.Earlier this summer, England's back three were similarly tested.Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Noah Caluori and Cadan Murley were among those wearing strobe goggles - whose lenses flickered between being clear and opaque - while they attempted to catch high balls.Fly-half George Ford, safely on the other side of the training pitch, enjoyed the spectacle of the glasses."We've been watching from afar and laughing and giggling at a few things," he said.But, it is a serious business - and it is Duncan Locke's business.He is the head of performance services and innovation at England Rugby. Or, alternatively, the RFU's 'Q' - the movie character who provides British spy James Bond with high-tech gadgets - tasked with finding the technology that will help England's men and women out in the field."The strobe glasses work by improving cognitive processing time," Locke explained to BBC Sport. "It trains the players to process the flight of the ball quicker to help with that h...