Best Rugby Balls of 2026
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Rugby balls are essential for playing the sport of rugby. They are oval-shaped and made of leather or synthetic materials with a rubber bladder inside to hold the air. Rugby balls come in various sizes and weights to accommodate different age groups and skill levels, ranging from size 3 for children and beginners to size 5 for professionals. The surface of the ball is usually dimpled or textured to provide better grip and handling. Rugby balls can be found in different colors and designs, but the traditional color is brown. They are durable and designed to withstand the rough and tumble of rugby matches.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Rugby Balls
LUCA Size 5 Rugby Ball
The LUCA Rugby Ball is designed for both youth and adult players, featuring a robust construction made from high-quality synthetic rubber that ensures longevity even during intense play. Its textured surface offers superb grip, allowing you to handle the ball confidently in any weather. The hand-stitched design maintains the ball's shape and integrity, making it reliable for rough gameplay. With its official size 5 specifications, this ball is perfect for regulation matches, making it an excellent choice for both practice and competitive play.
Gilbert WRS A XV Training Rugby Ball
The Gilbert WRS A XV Training Rugby Ball (Size 5) features a Hydratec barrier that repels dirt and water, and a uniform A-XV grip that ensures maximum comfort. This hand-stitched ball arrives deflated and can be inflated to 9.5 psi using a hand pump.
World Rugby Shop Gilbert G-TR4000 Rugby Ball
The Gilbert G-TR4000 Rugby Ball is designed for serious players who need a reliable training partner. Its advanced triangular grip pattern enhances your control, making it easier to handle during practice. Built with durable materials, this ball withstands tough conditions, ensuring that it lasts through multiple seasons. The premium 3-ply construction gives it better weight and shape retention, which is crucial for accurate kicks and passes. Plus, being hand-stitched adds to its durability, so you can trust it during intense training sessions and matches.
Mitre Rugby Training Ball 2024
The Mitre Rugby Ball is designed to enhance your training with its updated 2024 design, making it a reliable choice for players of all ages. Its 3-ply vulcanised OTM lining adds extra durability, so you can count on it to hold up during intense practice sessions. This ball is full weight, providing a realistic feel that helps you improve your skills effectively. Keep in mind, the ball comes deflated, so you'll need a Mitre pump to inflate it before use. This feature ensures the ball is compact for easy transport and storage until you're ready to train.
Gilbert Rebounder Match Trainer Rugby Ball
The Gilbert Rebounder Match Trainer Rugby Ball is a durable and versatile training tool designed to help rugby players improve their passing technique. With its durable rubber surface, this ball allows players to pass against a wall using either hand, helping them to develop their skills on both sides of the body. The ball is also designed to match the weight of a standard match ball, providing a realistic feel during training sessions. Equipped with a Truflight valve, this ball ensures consistent flight and accuracy. This makes it an ideal training tool for scrumhalfs, flyhalfs, and all competitive players who need to get in hundreds of passing reps each day to produce consistent results in matches. Additionally, the Gilbert Rebounder Match Trainer Rugby Ball is a great option for players who don't have a partner to practice with, allowing them to train solo and still improve their passing skills.
Gilbert G-TR4000 Rugby Training Ball
The Gilbert G-TR4000 Rugby Training Ball is a high-quality club-level training ball that features Tri Grip Technology, making it easy to grip and handle. The ball is size 5, which is the standard size for rugby balls, and is perfect for players of all levels. The Tri Grip Technology allows for better handling and passing, which can improve your game. Additionally, the ball is designed for durability, so it can withstand the rigors of intense training. The Gilbert G-TR4000 Rugby Training Ball is a reliable choice for any rugby player looking to improve their skills.
Gilbert Omega Match Rugby Ball
The Gilbert Omega Match Rugby Ball is designed for serious rugby players. It features a standard grip, ensuring a secure hold during play. The Truflight valve in the seam allows for accurate flight, making it easier to catch and pass. The ball is made from durable 3 ply polycotton and cotton laminate, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of intense games. IRB approved, the ball is hand stitched for exceptional quality.
Gilbert WRS A-XV Training Rugby Ball
The Gilbert A-XV Rugby Ball is built to last, making it a great choice if you want a durable ball for regular use. It features a special Hydratec barrier, which uses a water-resistant layer to keep dirt and water off the ball, so it stays clean and easy to handle, even in wet conditions. The ball’s grip is designed with evenly spaced rubber dimples that provide comfortable and secure handling, helping you maintain control during play. Plus, every Gilbert ball is hand-stitched, ensuring you get a high-quality product made with care and attention to detail.
Gilbert G-TR4000 Rugby Training Ball
The Gilbert G-TR4000 Rugby Training Ball is a red size 5 ball that offers a variety of features to improve your training experience. With TRI grip technology, the ball offers excellent grip, while the Hydratec technology repels water to maintain performance in wet conditions. The 3-ply polycotton and cotton laminate provides durability, while the hand-stitched construction ensures quality. The durable rubber surface offers a long-lasting feel and can withstand the rigors of training.
Gilbert Ireland Mini Rugby Ball
The Gilbert Mini Rugby Ball is an official replica of the Ireland rugby team's ball, making it a great choice for fans and collectors alike. Made from high-quality materials, this mini ball features the team's logo on two panels, adding to its authenticity. With deflated dimensions of 7" x 4.5" x 3", it’s compact and easy to store or carry, perfect for young players or as a decorative item. Whether you're practicing your skills or displaying it on a shelf, this mini rugby ball brings a piece of Ireland's rugby pride to you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are rugby balls and NFL balls the same?
Rugby balls and NFL balls are similar in shape, but they have some key differences. While both are oval and 11 inches long, the rugby ball has flatter ends compared to the pointed ends of an NFL ball. These differences in shape affect how the balls move through the air and are used in their respective sports.
2. Is a rugby ball bigger than an NFL ball?
Rugby balls and NFL balls have similar appearances, but they have slight differences in size. A rugby ball is approximately 27cm long and weighs about 1lb, while an NFL ball weighs slightly less and is slightly longer at around 28cm.
3. Can you throw a rugby ball like an American football?
Throwing techniques in rugby and American football differ. While both sports involve backward passing, American football allows forward throwing in certain situations. In rugby, forward passing is always illegal in the game.
4. Which is tougher, rugby or American football?
Rugby and American football have different demands and challenges. Rugby matches consist of 2 halves of 40 minutes each, requiring players to exert a significant amount of energy. American football has a smaller playing field, making it more difficult to pass the ball to teammates. The toughness of each sport can vary depending on individual perspective and playing style.
During our rugby ball research, we found 24 rugby ball products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 41,371 customer reviews through our big data system to write the rugby balls list. We found that most customers choose rugby balls with an average price of $23.25.
The rugby balls are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of rugby balls, including LUCA, Gilbert, World Rugby Shop, Mitre. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 54 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.
Rugby Balls Comparison Table
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| Brand | LUCA | Gilbert | World Rugby Shop | Mitre | Gilbert | Gilbert | Gilbert | Gilbert | Gilbert | Gilbert |
| Material | Rubber | Rubber | 3 ply poly-cotton and cotton laminate panels | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber, Synthetic, Cotton, Polyester | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) | Hydratec | Polycotton and cotton laminate | Rubber, Synthetic Latex |
| Color | Red, Black, White | green black white | Red | Sabre - White/Mint/Lime | Blue, Lime, White | Blue | Black/Royal | Green, black & white | Red | White/Green |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult | Youth | Adult | Adult | Adult | Adult | Adult | Youth | Adult | Adult |
| Item Weight | 0.88 Pounds | - | 5 Grams | - | 450 Grams | 300 Grams | 0.42 Kilograms | 0.5 Kilograms | 0.17 Kilograms | 50 Grams |
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