Black Friday on rugby balls
The selection of Black Friday rugby balls brings together oval balls for playing, training, and collecting: balls in the colours of the France XV, Canada, Uruguay, or Tonga, balls from Clermont and Montpellier, Gilbert Touch for touch rugby, Berugbe Elipse Dual and foam ball Sporti for beginners. A ball suitable for every age and every pitch.
The oval ball, at a discounted price.
What size ball according to the player's age
The size of the ball corresponds to the growth of the hand. The size three, lighter, is suitable for children up to about nine years old and makes early passing easier. The size four is for players aged ten to fourteen, and it is also the size of the Gilbert Touch, used in touch rugby. The size five, which is used in matches, is required from the age of fifteen: according to the rules of the game, its circumference is around sixty centimetres and it weighs between four hundred ten and four hundred sixty grams. For the youngest, the foam ball Sporti Soft'rugby avoids any apprehension.
The other equipment
The Black Friday equipment is also available:
All the equipment from Black Friday is gathered on the equipment page.
National and club balls: play or display
The balls in team colours are played like regular balls, but many end up on a shelf. There are many nations: France, England, Spain, Canada, Uruguay, Tonga, or Wales, and a set of ten balls can equip an entire group at once. On the club side, ASM Clermont Auvergne and Montpellier also have their ball, the latter signed by Gilbert. For a collector's ball, it's best to avoid exposure to the sun, which dulls the colours, and keep it slightly deflated to protect the seams and bladder.
Berugbe Elipse Dual and Gilbert: how to choose your cover
The cover makes the quality of a ball. A grip with raised bumps, like on Gilbert balls, ensures a good grip even when it rains, when mud makes the surface slippery. The Berugbe Elipse Dual combines two covers to maintain good touch in both dry and wet conditions. Training balls favour a thick rubber that withstands abrasion on synthetic pitches and repeated sessions, while match balls focus on a finer touch for precise passes and kicks.
The other good deals
Outside of Black Friday, good deals can be found in good deals, clearance, sales. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections. The major events of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back to school.
Frequently asked questions
What inflation pressure for a rugby ball?
For a match ball, the game rules set a pressure of about 0.66 to 0.69 bar. You can also rely on the indication printed near the valve, as an over-inflated ball bounces unpredictably.
Why is the rugby ball oval?
The first balls were made from a pig's bladder, which is naturally oval-shaped, covered with stitched leather. This shape has been maintained and standardised: it facilitates two-handed handling, passing, and kicking.
Why do people often refer to a Gilbert to mean a ball?
The manufacturer Gilbert, founded in 1823 by cobbler William Gilbert, supplied the balls for the nearby Rugby school. Official ball of every World Cup since 1995, its name has become synonymous with oval balls.
How to throw a pass properly in rugby?
Hold the ball with both hands, fingers spread on the seams, then push it towards your partner, finishing the motion with your arms extended towards the target. A slight wrist rotation gives the ball a spin that stabilises its trajectory.
How to inflate a rugby ball without damaging it?
Moisten the needle before gently inserting it into the valve, to avoid splitting it, then inflate with small bursts while checking the gauge. Remove the needle in a straight motion, without twisting it.
