What is a Rugby Ball Called? Your Simple Guide to the Oval Icon

Ever hear someone call a rugby ball a 'rugger'? That’s not the official name—but it does come up a lot in casual talk. The proper term is pretty straightforward: it’s simply called a 'rugby ball.' In official rulebooks and fixtures, that’s the word you’ll see every time.

But this odd-looking ball isn’t just random. That iconic oval shape is essential for the way rugby is played—perfect for passing, running, and even those wild bounces nobody can predict. If you try using a soccer ball at rugby practice, you’ll quickly see the difference. Passes won’t spin, kicks veer off in weird directions, and scrums are a mess.

Here’s the kicker—rugby balls are more than just their shape. The size and grip matter a lot, especially when you’re gearing up for a new season or setting up a match. If you’re a newbie, choosing a full-size ball (Size 5) is usually best for standard adult games. Smaller sizes work for kids and training drills. Grip is another thing—match balls have a textured surface to help you hold on, even when the rain turns the pitch into a mud bath.

• The Official Name of a Rugby Ball
• How the Rugby Ball Got its Shape
• Choosing the Right Rugby Ball for Fixtures
• Fun Facts and Rugby Ball Trivia

The Official Name of a Rugby Ball

The official name for the ball used in rugby is, no surprise here, simply the rugby ball. That’s what you’ll see in every rulebook, gear manual, and on the packaging when you’re shopping for one. There’s no fancy term or secret code—no matter if you’re playing Rugby Union, Rugby League, or even touch rugby. Broadcasters, coaches, and players worldwide just say 'rugby ball.'

There are a few nicknames like 'egg' or 'pill,' but those are informal and you’re not going to hear a ref use them at a big tournament. In stores or at fixtures, it’s always listed as a rugby ball. Using the official term keeps things clear, especially during fixtures when communication really matters. Ask for a 'football' and you might get a round soccer ball instead, and that could turn a match into chaos.

If you like seeing things in black and white, here’s what the official guides say:

• World Rugby Laws of the Game: calls it a 'rugby ball' over 60 times in the manual.
• Rugby League International Federation: every rule uses 'rugby ball.'
• Major equipment companies (Gilbert, Canterbury, Adidas): label products as 'rugby ball.'

The rugby ball’s specs are universal for sanctioned matches:

So, if you hop online or head to a shop and search for a rugby ball, you’re using the right lingo—nothing complicated, just straight to the point.

How the Rugby Ball Got its Shape

The classic oval rugby ball didn’t just happen by accident. Back in the 1800s when rugby first kicked off at Rugby School in England, balls were made by local leather workers. William Gilbert, a bootmaker near the school, became famous for making the earliest versions. Rather than being perfectly round like soccer balls, these old balls were stitched using pig bladders. The shape was often a bit unpredictable, but the natural oval came from the bladder itself—and over time, players realized this shape worked really well for passing and carrying.

By the late 19th century, manufacturers started using rubber bladders instead of pig ones. This change made it much easier to control the size and shape of the rugby ball. The official shape became more defined: longer, flatter, and easier to grip than a soccer ball. World Rugby, the league that sets the rules, made it official: a rugby ball should be oval, 280-300mm long, and about 58-62cm around its widest point.

Here’s a quick look at how rugby ball materials and design have changed over the years:

• 1800s: Leather covers with pig bladder inside, sewn by hand.
• Late 1800s: Shift to rubber bladders, keeping the oval shape but making balls more consistent.
• Modern era: Synthetic materials—lighter, water-resistant, and textured for grip.

Fun fact: A modern rugby ball usually weighs about 410-460 grams, way lighter than those old pig bladder versions which could get super heavy, especially in the rain. If you look at photos from early matches, you’ll spot massive, lumpy balls—no one’s passing like Finn Russell with those.

Choosing the Right Rugby Ball for Fixtures

If you want to play decent rugby, picking the right rugby ball is as important as wearing the right boots. Not all balls are made the same, and just grabbing any old ball off the shelf can mess with your game. Let’s look at what actually matters for fixtures.

First, size is the big one. For adult matches, a Size 5 rugby ball is official worldwide. Teens use Size 4, and little kids go smaller with Size 3. This isn’t just about hand size; the rules for most serious rugby fixtures demand Size 5 for anyone over 15 years old. A chunky ball just isn’t fair to young kids, and grown-ups will fly through those mini balls like nothing.

Material is next. Match-standard balls are made from high-grade natural or synthetic leather, giving you that grippy feel needed for passing and catching—even when it’s chucking it down at the park. Training balls might be a bit cheaper, often with a harder rubber outer that lasts longer but doesn’t grip quite the same. So save the best balls for official rugby fixtures and use the basics at practice.

• Grip: Look for a dimpled or patterned surface so you don’t lose the ball when things get sweaty (or muddy).
• Weight: The standard is about 410-460 grams for Size 5 balls, which feels solid in the hand—not too heavy or light.
• Bladder: Modern balls mostly use synthetic latex, helping them stay pumped up longer. If you play every week, check your ball’s pressure before each fixture.

Here’s a quick reference if you want to see what matches use which ball size:

If you’re shopping for your club or just kicking about, buy at least one good-quality match ball—not just training balls. Having the right rugby ball at fixtures means fewer dropped passes and way more fun for everyone. And one more tip: label your ball. Everyone else’s looks the same, and you don’t want to lose yours after just one game.

Fun Facts and Rugby Ball Trivia

Think you know everything about the rugby ball? There’s a lot more to it than you’d guess. The classic oval design actually came about by accident. Back in the 1800s, balls were handmade using pig bladders, and the shape depended on the pig—so you basically played with what you got! When manufacturers switched to rubber, they kept the oval because players loved how it spiraled through the air.

Ever noticed the grip on a rugby ball? It’s not just for show. The textured "dimples" give better control in wet or muddy conditions. That’s crucial when you’re playing fixtures in classic British weather. Fun fact: World Rugby rules say the ball must be between 28 and 30 cm long and weigh between 410 and 460 grams. So, despite brand differences, every official ball is pretty much the same size.

Here are a few more bits of trivia you can drop at your next game or pub night:

• The ball has to be slightly pointed at each end, making it great for that spinning "torpedo" pass—but also unpredictable when it bounces.
• Every top league or international match uses identical balls before kick-off to keep things fair. Teams even warm up with spare match balls to get the feel.
• The classic white color is for visibility, but you’ll see all sorts of colors and patterns for training and special tournaments.
• If a rugby ball gets soaked, older leather styles would soak up water and get way heavier. Modern ones are water-resistant, so you won’t need to lift weights just to do a lineout throw.

Bizarre but true: the "egg-shaped" design actually makes drop goals and bounces way harder to predict, which adds to the excitement. Try guessing where a loose ball is headed in a live fixture. It’s anybody’s guess, and that’s half the fun.