World Rugby expands trials of new ball for women’s rugby to HSBC SVNS

World Rugby is expanding trials of a new ball for women’s rugby to this years’ HSBC SVNS Series. The new bespoke size 4.5 ball has been developed in partnership with Gilbert to be the same weight as a size 5 whilst maintaining the advanced aerodynamic and technological features.

The expansion follows positive player feedback from trials that include U18 and U20 international competitions, domestic competitions in Spain and Colombia and elite domestic club training sessions.

Feedback from players says that they felt the new ball gave them greater control and accuracy, providing a platform to showcase their world-class skills while not impacting other elements of the game such as kicking.

World Rugby has said it is committed to developing a women’s game designed in its own right, rather than as an imitation of the men’s game, and has trialed a smaller ball at a variety of different levels within the sport.

Player feedback on the new balls will be collected across the HSBC SVNS Series as well as other competitions and any future decision will be informed by this feedback alongside analysis of the impact on game metrics and injury rates.

Chair of World Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Committee, Melodie Robinson said: “World Rugby is committed to supporting women’s rugby in forging its own path to suit our players, not just following the history of the men’s game.

“In trialing this new ball we’re focused on player feedback and giving them the best possible stage to showcase their world-class skills. I’d like to thank Gilbert for their support in developing this updated ball and I look forward to seeing the amazing things our superstar players can do with it in HSBC SVNS.”