England Red Roses fly half Zoe Harrison has strongly criticised World Rugby's trial of a smaller ball for women's rugby, calling it the 'worst decision someone has ever made'. The 28-year-old, who is considered one of the world's best kickers, voiced her opposition ahead of England's Women's Six Nations match against Italy in Parma.
World Rugby will expand the use of a size 4.5 ball into the WXV Global Series later this year, after trialling it in sevens this season. The Gilbert ball is about three per cent smaller than a regulation size 5 but carries the same weight, in an attempt to address concerns over its impact on the kicking game. Other sports, such as cricket and basketball, use smaller balls as standard for women's competitions.
Harrison, who helped England win the World Cup last year, told the BBC: 'I've not kicked any less than a size five since I was the age of 14. There is not the same amount of surface area for you to wrap your foot around.' She has successfully slotted all 15 of her goal attempts in this year's Six Nations.
The Red Roses will host Australia, Canada and New Zealand in the WXV Global Series in September, before a tour of North America in October, where they will face Canada again. Rugby Canada has confirmed those matches will be held at BMO Field in Toronto and TD Place in Ottawa.
