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 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.
Global sports such as basketball, cricket, athletics and football already use equipment specifically designed for female players.
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.”
Richard Gray, Gilbert Commercial CEO, said: ”We are delighted to have been working alongside World Rugby on these ball developments for several years, for the enhancement of the women’s game. The introduction of the new balls into the HSBC SVNS Series is a sign of the success of previous trials and the quality of the product trialed so far. We’re pleased to be at the centre of the development of the global game, following an incredible Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and are committed to working closely with World Rugby to build on this momentum to grow the women’s game globally.”
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