World Rugby is currently testing a smaller rugby ball in the WXV Global Series, a new women's international tournament. The trial involves teams from England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, who are using a size 4.5 ball, which is approximately 3% smaller than the standard size five used in men's rugby, but with the same weight. The move is based on the idea that a smaller ball may better suit the physical characteristics of female players and could enhance their performance, similar to how women in basketball use a smaller ball and female athletes compete with lower hurdles in track and field. Reactions to the new ball have been mixed among players. England hooker May Campbell described the ball as sometimes going "a bit skew-whiff," meaning it doesn't travel straight. England kicker Helena Rowland noted that the smaller ball has a "much bigger margin for error," and that passes "die" more easily, meaning they lose speed or control more quickly. However, Wales wing Lisa Neumann praised the ball, saying it has improved her grip and passing. Some players, like Rowland, have trained extensively with the size five ball and feel they are not hindered by the change, though they acknowledge the challenge of adapting quickly to the new size. England head coach John Mitchell said it's "too early" to assess the impact of the ball change, and the team will evaluate its performance after their opening three Tests in September. Some England players practiced with the size 4.5 ball during the off-season, but Campbell said there is "no point in complaining" since all teams in the WXV Global Series are using the same ball. However, concerns were raised about the inconsistency in the ball's shape, with players noting that it felt "fatter" in previous weeks and "smaller" in recent ones. This variation between training and match conditions has been highlighted as a significant issue by players like Rowland. The smaller ball has also been trialed in youth competitions, including the Under-18s and Under-20s Women's Six Nations, as well as the HSBC Sevens Series. Rowland expressed a desire to see data on whether the ball has made a difference, but World Rugby stated that no directly comparable data is currently available. A spokesperson said that once a large enough dataset is compiled, the results will be shared with players, unions, and coaches. Some players feel they are being used as "guinea pigs" on the global stage, and they will return to their clubs, where the league season will continue with the standard size five ball. World Rugby said they will reassess their position on women's 15-a-side rugby once the international window begins, with a full analysis expected in early 2027.