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World Rugby is to expand its trial of using a smaller ball in the elite women’s game with a size 4.5 set to be in use at WXV later this year.
The specially-designed Gilbert ball is about three per cent smaller than a regulation size five currently used, though weighs the same. It has been used on the HSBC SVNS series this season following previous trials in age-grade internationals and club training session.
It is understood, though, that it will now be trialled in the elite 15-a-side game in a significant step as World Rugby attempts to gather more data and feedback from players and coaches.
Many in women’s rugby have advocated a trial of a smaller ball to improve gameplay, although others feel it unnecessary, and potentially creating an extra cost for grassroots clubs to supply alternative equipment.
Katie Shillaker, who has captained Great Britain Sevens this season, said a greater capacity for offloading has been the key difference she has noticed.
“I don’t think it has affected me that much,” Shillaker told The Independent. “The four-and-a-half size ball obviously comes with benefits: the offload, catch and pass is a little bit easier. But I think it affects the kickers more.
“I think it is good for the women’s game and that offloading game is better. That is the performance difference; it is easier to get those 50/50 offloads away. Defensively, you know they are going to offload so you work a little bit harder to cover those channels, and then in attack you try and use it to your advantage, get on shoulders and catch the defence off guard.”
Many other sports, including cricket and basketball, use smaller balls as standard for the women’s game. A man’s hand is on average about 10 per cent larger than a woman’s.
There have previously been concerns over the impact of a smaller ball on the kicking game (Getty)
Coaches and players have previously been concerned over the impact of a smaller ball on the kicking game, although preserving the weight is believed to mitigate against that somewhat.