World Rugby Expands Trials of Smaller Size 4.5 Ball to Women’s Global Fifteen-a-Side Competition

World Rugby expands the size 4.5 ball trial to the women's 15s game. New equipment aims to enhance skill and handling in the WXV Global Series. Read more.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 4:00 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

Strategic Expansion of Specialized Equipment Trials

The governing body for international rugby is intensifying its assessment of a specialized size 4.5 ball designed specifically for the women’s game. Following an initial implementation during the HSBC SVNS 2026 Series, World Rugby has confirmed that the trial will now encompass elite fifteen-a-side environments, most notably the WXV Global Series. This move signals a concerted effort to optimize equipment for female athletes, a strategy already adopted by other major international sports such as basketball and cricket.

Maintaining Technical Consistency and Performance Integrity

The new ball, produced by industry leader Gilbert, features slightly reduced dimensions compared to the traditional size 5, yet it is engineered to retain identical weight and performance characteristics. According to Mark Harrington, World Rugby’s Chief Player Welfare and Rugby Services Officer, early feedback from professional athletes has been largely positive. The primary objective is to allow the world’s best players to showcase their technical abilities without the equipment acting as a physical barrier to skill execution.

Player Perspectives on Handling and Tactical Execution

Athletes currently participating in the trial have noted immediate differences in how the ball interacts with high-speed play. Great Britain Sevens captain Katie Shillaker observed that while catching and passing have become more manageable, the change in dimensions significantly impacts the tactical kicking game. Proponents of the shift, including England head coach John Mitchell, have previously suggested that such a change could serve as a recruitment tool by making the sport more accessible to new participants at the developmental level.