Gilbert Control-A Lightweight Rugby Ball Size 5 Players

Technical Specifications

Care Instructions

Inflate with a moistened needle pump, never dry (risk of valve puncture). Check pressure before each session (0.67 bar). Clean with warm soapy water after use on muddy ground, dry in open air, never in direct sunlight or on a radiator. Store deflated to 50% in a temperature-controlled location to preserve rubber elasticity. Do not leave outdoors overnight (temperature fluctuations accelerate aging).

Design

Gilbert developed the Control-A Lightweight to answer club demand: an economical ball that retains the technical fundamentals of a match ball. The single-ply natural rubber textured covering reproduces the grip sensation of high-end models, without the cost of multi-ply composite. The hand-stitched 4-panel seam, identical to competition balls, guarantees stable sphericity and linear trajectory when kicked. The butyl chamber (unlike more permeable latex) limits re-inflation to once per week in standard use. This weight/price/durability compromise makes it an appreciated tool for coaches, who can equip a rugby school affordably without sacrificing pass or strike quality.

Brand

Gilbert has manufactured rugby balls since 1823, the date of the company's founding in Rugby (England), the birthplace of the game. The brand today equips major international competitions (World Cup, Six Nations, Premiership, Top 14) and remains a technical reference for demanding players. The Control-A range, launched in the 2000s, specifically targets amateur and semi-professional training: acceptable durability, controlled cost, proven geometry. Gilbert maintains on these entry-level models the same stitching and valve standards as its premium balls, guaranteeing consistent hand-to-ball feel for learning players.