World Rugby begins smaller-ball trial in women's WXV Global Series

World Rugby is introducing a smaller ball for the women's WXV Global Series during September and October, BBC Sport reports. The size 4.5 ball is about 3% smaller than the size five used in the men's game but retains the same weight. The trial will cover the leading women's international teams, including England's upcoming matches against Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

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The governing body believes the reduced dimensions may better suit women's physiology and support skill execution. Similar distinctions exist in other sports, including basketball, while women's sprint hurdles are also set lower than men's. The rugby ball has already been tested in the women's Under-18 and Under-20 Six Nations and in the HSBC Sevens Series.

Early player feedback reported by the BBC is mixed. England fly-half Helena Rowland said small errors while kicking can produce much larger differences in outcome and that some passes have dropped earlier than expected. Hooker May Campbell has also found that line-out throws can veer off course. Both players noted variations in the shape of different size 4.5 balls.

Wales wing Lisa Neumann offered a more positive assessment, saying the smaller ball had improved her grip and passing. Some other players have said it may increase confidence when offloading. Rowland, however, said she had not felt hindered by the traditional size five and had not yet found a benefit that offset the adjustment required for kicking.

World Rugby told BBC Sport that players, coaches and match officials involved in the series will be surveyed, with each group's feedback given equal value. The organization said it does not yet have directly comparable women's international 15-a-side data to share. It plans to publish results once it has collected enough player responses, officiating feedback and match data.

The trial also creates a transition issue because players will return to club competitions that continue to use the size-five ball. England head coach John Mitchell said it was too early to judge the change before his side's three September Tests. World Rugby expects to analyze the completed WXV tournaments in early 2027, while any broader decision on the ball may take longer.