Ireland's Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald Finds Smaller WXV Ball Challenging

Irish hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald has voiced concerns regarding the new size 4.5 ball being trialed in the WXV Global Series, particularly ahead of Ireland's match against the United States. She described the adjustment as "challenging" for players in a top-tier international competition, according to BBC Rugby Union reporting.

World Rugby is testing a new size 4.5 ball, approximately three percent smaller than the men's size five ball but retaining the same weight, during the September and October WXV Global Series. This initiative includes a focus on enhancing women's rugby coverage.

Player Feedback on the New Ball

Similar sentiments have been echoed by other international players. England's May Campbell and Helena Rowland expressed reservations before their team's recent victory over Australia. Conversely, Wales wing Lisa Neumann offered positive feedback, noting the ball's beneficial impact on her passing game. Moloney-MacDonald anticipates providing feedback on the ball's performance in due course, contributing to the process World Rugby is undertaking for the smaller ball.

Domestic League Expansion

While acknowledging the logistical challenges of regular travel for an Irish team in the PWR, Moloney-MacDonald suggested that players would embrace the opportunity. She emphasized that increased competition and more demanding fixtures are what players seek, indicating that an expanded PWR with Irish participation would provide a higher frequency of challenging matches against top-tier opponents, further developing women's rugby coverage.