Zoe Harrison has criticised World Rugby’s decision to introduce smaller balls for this year’s women’s WXV Global Series, calling it “the worst decision someone has ever made”.
The new size 4.5 balls are slightly smaller than the standard size five but weigh the same, with World Rugby arguing the change could improve handling and better suit female players.
Harrison, England’s fly-half, said experienced players have trained with full-sized balls for years and warned the reduced surface area could negatively affect kicking accuracy.
The move has sparked debate across the women’s game, with some supporting the attempt to tailor equipment to female athletes, while critics argue it risks undermining the sport’s image and increasing costs for clubs.
World Rugby says player feedback and performance data from the WXV tournament will be reviewed before any long-term decision is made.
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