Why Gilbert?
Trust. Teamwork. Inclusivity. Performance. Passion. These are the values Gilbert is built on, and they’re the reason the Gilbert rugby ball sits at the heart of the game — on pitches, in clubs and at the centre of matches all over the world.For 2026, we’ve rebuilt our ball range from the ground up. Familiar names have been refined and new ones introduced, all organised into a clear, tiered structure that runs from international level right down to mini rugby. Every ball conforms to World Rugby specifications and is hand stitched, so whether you’re kitting out a club, stocking a school cupboard or buying a first ball for a young player, you always know exactly what you’re getting for your money. This guide walks you through size, level and surface to help you find your perfect match.
Rugby Ball Size
Rugby balls come in a range of sizes, each matched to a different age group and designed to build and sharpen handling skills in training. The table below shows which Gilbert ball size suits which age range.
Gilbert rugby ball dimensions (approximated to the nearest mm):
Size 5 – Length 285mm, Girth 585mm
Size 4 – Length 275mm, Girth 545mm
Size 3 – Length 255mm, Girth 535mm
Midi – Length 215mm, Girth 420mm
Mini – Length 160mm, Girth 315mm
MATCH BALLS
Gilbert Match Balls are engineered for game day. They carry a higher concentration of natural rubber for elite grip, multi-ply construction to hold their shape through eighty hard minutes, and our patented valve technology for true, balanced flight. The difference between a match ball and a training ball isn’t just price — it’s purpose. Match balls are built to perform when the result is on the line.
Innovo: International / Elite Maximum performance and elite-level precision kicking
Advantia: Senior & Club High-performance match play with added durability
Barbarian HD: Senior & Club A dependable, balanced all-round match ball
Pulsar: Club & School Durable performance for regular, high-use play
Orion: Club, School, Junior & Mini Maximum durability for high-use environments
Gemini (4.5): Club, School & Junior Developing players transitioning between sizes
Innovo sits at the very top — the elite match ball built for maximum grip and precision kicking at the highest level of the game. Below it, the Advantia delivers elite-level handling with added durability, while the Barbarian HD is the dependable all-rounder for clubs who want a ball that does everything well across varied conditions. Step down again and the Pulsar and Orion are built for the realities of regular club and school play, where a ball needs to survive high usage week after week. The Gemini size 4.5 bridges the gap for players moving up between sizes, and is also the ideal specific size for women’s rugby.
Every match ball shares the same engineering foundations, with the specification stepping up through the range:
● Grip — The Innovo features our Hypernova grip: high-precision, dual-height pimples for the ultimate handling and aerodynamic balance. The Advantia uses Multi Matrix grip (dual-height star and round pimples) for excellent handling at pace, while the Barbarian HD, Pulsar, Orion and Gemini carry our new HD grip, with taller, larger round pimples for improved handling in all conditions.
● Ellipse Truflight™ valve — Our patented ellipse-shaped valve lets the ball inflate while delivering rotational balance for consistent, accurate flight. The Innovo, Advantia and Barbarian HD use the Ellipse Truflight™ valve, with the Innovo stepping up to the patented duo
valve for the ultimate in balance.
● Bladder — The premium tier (Innovo, Advantia, Barbarian HD) uses a copolymer ‘Air-loc’ bladder that balances air retention and resilience to stay inflated for longer and deliver excellent kicking performance. The Pulsar, Orion and Gemini use a natural latex bladder for great resilience and responsive energy transfer.
● Surface — The rubber compound steps through the range to give the right balance of grip and longevity at every level: from G-XV (our highest natural rubber content, for maximum grip) on the Innovo and Advantia, to G-X on the Barbarian HD, and the natural-and-synthetic G-SR and G-S blends on the Pulsar, Orion and Gemini for greater durability.
● Construction — Reaction and multi-ply laminate
constructions combine energy transfer with shape retention to maximise
responsiveness off the boot. Every Gilbert match ball conforms to World Rugby specifications.
Gilbert is the match ball of choice for World Rugby, England Rugby, France Rugby, Australia, Wales, Argentina, Ireland, Scotland, Japan, USA, Canada and many more of the top unions in the world.
TRAINING BALLS
A match ball is for game day.
For everything else, Gilbert Training Balls are built to take the punishment of repetitive drills, week in, week out, on every surface from soft grass to abrasive 4G. They’re built around four things — cost, quality, performance and longevity — so they can handle everything a full season of training throws at them.
The redeveloped G-TR series leads the way:
● G-TR8000 — our premium trainer, offering a match-like feel with enhanced durability. The natural choice for high-performance training environments.
● G-TR6000 — the core, high-volume ball for schools and clubs needing reliable,
hard-wearing balls for everyday, high-frequency training.
● G-TR7000 — the same quality in a size 4.5 format, ideal for development pathways, the
transition between junior and senior sizes, and women’s rugby.
The technology in a Gilbert training ball
● Multi grip — Our new grip technology combines the patented triangular pimples Gilbert is known for with an additional layer of round pimples, improving handling and increasing grip durability so it lasts longer session after session.
● Bladder — A natural latex bladder gives great resilience for consistent, responsive performance.
●Surface — A durable rubber compound blends synthetic with natural rubber to maximise longevity while keeping good grip in all conditions.
● Hydratec — Waxed-coated threads help seal the seams to reduce water absorption and keep the ball newer for longer — the difference between a ball that stays light and true and one that turns into a soggy weight by full time.
● Construction — The G-TR8000 and G-TR7000 use a 3-ply cotton and polycotton laminate for maximum shape retention; the G-TR6000 uses a robust 2-ply construction. All conform to World Rugby specifications.
SPECIALIST BALLS
Beyond the fifteen-a-side game, Gilbert offers a dedicated range built for other formats and for focused skill development.
Sevens & Touch
● Quantum — the elite sevens match ball, engineered for speed, control and precision. Multi Matrix grip and an Ellipse Truflight™ valve deliver fast, accurate handling exactly where the shorter, faster format demands it.
● G-TR V2 — a durable sevens training ball built for high-tempo sessions, with a Pebble
grip for reliable handling and long-lasting grip durability.
● Touch Pro — a high-performance touch ball with a multi-height Touch Pro grip pattern for exceptional control and handling in competitive touch.
● Touch — a durable, accessible touch ball with a Touch DPX grip, built to last across recreational and club-level play.
Skill Development
● Rebounder Ball — a ‘half-ball’ for solo work, no partner needed. Pass off either hand against a wall to build handling. Match-ball weight, with a Truflight™ valve.
● Control-a-Balls — a catch-and-pass skill system where each ball looks identical but behaves differently, challenging player awareness and sharpening skill levels.
● Morgan Pass Developer — an overweight training ball that builds wrist strength and passing distance.
● Reflex Trainer — a handling aid for better balance and passing on the run.
For players moving up from size 4 to size 5, the Gemini match ball and G-TR7000 training ball offer size 4.5 stepping stones to ease the transition.
REPLICA BALL
A Gilbert Replica Ball is
the perfect choice for anyone who wants a high-quality ball to practise their handling and training at home.
Every Gilbert replica ball carries the trademark Gilbert ellipses and is made with 3-ply backing material for excellent shape retention. Each one also features the standard Gilbert pimple grip pattern and a grippy rubber compound surface, plus a synthetic latex bladder for outstanding air retention — and every one is hand stitched.
Gilbert offers a full range of International Replica Balls, including the Rugby World Cup 2027 Replica, alongside club and tournament designs.
SUPPORTER BALL
A Gilbert Supporter Ball is made for memorabilia and for a light-hearted game with family and friends in the garden.
Supporter balls come in distinct designs that set them apart from replica balls, and they use a 2-ply backing material for shape retention.
Gilbert offers a full range of International Supporter Balls alongside Club and Tournament Supporter Balls.
GILBERT TRADEMARKS
The coloured oval ellipses and coloured ‘star-shaped ends’ — instantly recognisable on rugby balls the world over — are registered intellectual property of Gilbert Rugby.
Every Gilbert ellipse ball carrying the oval trims synonymous with rugby also features our renowned ‘X’ ‘GILBERT’ branding on 2 opposite panels.
On every official Gilbert ellipse rugby ball, you’ll also find the small line of text: The oval trim device is a registered Trademark of Gilbert Rugby.
