The Evolution of the Rugby Ball
The Rugby ball has evolved tremendously over time, Gilbert have always been at the centre of rugby union and at the heart of rugby ball development and innovation. As the supplier of footballs to rugby school in 1823, it was in fact a Gilbert ball that William Webb Eliis first caught and ran with on that fateful day at the Close at Rugby school in 1823, to, as legend has it, start the beautiful game we now call rugby union.
1. THE REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF GILBERT RUGBY BALLS
In 1994, Gilbert trademarked the coloured ellipses on the oval edges of rugby balls, now synonymous with the brand and with rugby balls throughout World Rugby and the global game. An iconic rugby ball design, trademarked to Gilbert.
2. SIZE & WEIGHT CHANGES
As bladders turned to rubber, the rugby ball shaped evolved to improve handling and passing. Each nation had preferred shape and size of ball. Australia and New Zealand preferred a pointed shape, while South Africa liked to use an 8 panel ball for improved grip. In 1932, balls we reduced by a half an inch due to player pressure.
To this day Gilbert pride themselves on leading the way in rugby ball research and development, producing new and improved rugby balls each season. Not only do we develop rugby balls for the elite game but also in support of rugby development for the grassroots game in developing nations, right through to the centre of the Rugby World Cup, since 1995 and again in 2025 in England.
Following stringent research, consultation and testing with World Rugby, it’s partner Unions and international rugby players across the globe, we launched the INNOVO match ball, to be used in RWC 2025 and in RWC 2023 and the Turbo development ball, being used throughout World Rugby’s development programmes across the globe.
3. ELLIPSE DESIGN
The trademark coloured trims or ellipse design that has become synonymous with Gilbert rugby balls first appeared in 1994 ready for the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa on the Barbarian ball.
The oval trim design is a registered trademark of Gilbert Rugby.
4. BALL PATENTS
Gilbert have numerous patents covering specific elements of arguably the most important part of a rugby ball – the valve. The valve weight, shape and how it is positioned in the ball are all unique properties covered by Gilbert patents.
5. SMART BALL
Following extensive research, development and testing, Gilbert partnered with Sportable Technology to produce the worlds first rugby smart ball. The Gilbert Sportable Smart Ball has been used in many tournaments and matches to date, including Six Nations (Mens and Womens), Autumn Nations Series, Major League Rugby, the NRL, Varsity Cup in South Africa, Junior World Cup and more.
