Gear for everyposition, fromfront row to back three.
Buying guides for boots, balls, headguards, mouthguards, padding, training equipment and kit, starting with the laws on what is allowed, your position and the pitch you play on.
Find gear by position and game
Boots, balls, protection, training and kit, for every format from mini rugby to senior fifteens.
Rugby boots
Boots by position and pitch
Rugby balls
Match, training and youth balls
Protective gear
Headguards, mouthguards and padding
Training equipment
Tackle bags, shields and scrum machines
Kit & apparel
Jerseys, shorts, socks and base layers
Sevens, league & touch
Sevens, rugby league, touch and tag
Youth, coaching & referees
Mini rugby, coaches and referees
Conditioning & recovery
Strength, conditioning and recovery
Know what the laws allow
- 01
Gilbert Rugby Ball Grip Patterns: Pimple, TRI and Multi-Matrix
Gilbert uses three named surface patterns across specific ball models: standard pimple, triangular TRI and Multi-Matrix.
- 02
Mini Rugby Gear: What Young Players Need
Start with the age grade and format set by the player's union, then choose the ball and clothing for that group.
- 03
Rugby Ball Pumps and Pressure Gauges: A Buying Guide
Use the pressure printed on the exact ball and the maker's instructions.
- 04
Rugby Ball Sizes 3, 4 and 5: Which Size by Age Group
Size 5 is the full-size ball; younger age groups use smaller sizes according to their union or competition's age-grade rules.
- 05
Rugby Base Layers for Cold-Weather Training and Matches
World Rugby recommends layering as conditions and activity change, with flexibility for players to adjust clothing.
- 06
Rugby Coaching Equipment Checklist
World Rugby's Activate programme needs only cones and can fit within a 20-metre by 20-metre area; extra equipment is optional.
- 07
Rugby Posts, Pads and Flags: A Club Buying Guide
World Rugby Law 1 requires 14 flag posts, each at least 1.2 metres high.
- 08
Rugby GPS Vests: Fit, Approval and Data Checks
For match use, a rugby GPS player-monitoring device must meet World Rugby's specification and be retained around the T2 to T6 vertebrae under the jersey.
Rugby Equipment questions, answered
Are TRI and Multi-Matrix official World Rugby grip standards?
No. Law 2 says a ball may be treated to make it easier to grip, but it does not name those patterns. Gilbert uses the terms for specific products in its own range.
Read: Gilbert Rugby Ball Grip Patterns →What gear does a child need for mini rugby?
Start with the club's age-grade and format rules, then choose the assigned ball size, suitable boots, match kit and a correctly fitted mouthguard. Ask the club which protective items its competition permits.
Read: Mini Rugby Gear →What pressure should a rugby ball have?
World Rugby Law 2 gives 9.5–10.0 psi at the start of play for the standard ball. Smaller balls may be permitted, so check the recommended pressure printed on the exact ball and its maker's instructions.
Read: Rugby Ball Pumps and Pressure Gauges →What size rugby ball does an adult use?
Size 5 is the full-size ball used in adult rugby. A competition may set its own requirements, so check the rules for your format.
Read: Rugby Ball Sizes 3, 4 and 5 →Can I wear a base layer for rugby training?
World Rugby's cold-weather guideline says clothing needs can change with conditions and activity, and recommends layering as needed.
Read: Rugby Base Layers for Cold-Weather Training and Matches →What equipment does a rugby coach need first?
Start with the equipment required by the session plan. For World Rugby Activate, cones mark the exercise areas; the programme can also use rugby balls or other available gear when they help the activity.
Read: Rugby Coaching Equipment Checklist →Laws and fit first
We check boots, headguards and padding against World Rugby Regulation 12 before recommending them.
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The rugby equipment index
- 01Rugby bootsForward and back boots, soft-ground and firm-ground studs, artificial-grass boots, wide fits and youth boots.2 pages
- 02Rugby ballsMatch and training balls, sizes 3 to 5 by age, touch and tag balls, kicking tees and ball care.5 pages
- 03Protective gearScrum caps and headguards, mouthguards, shoulder pads and protective vests, compression and supports.5 pages
- 04Training equipmentTackle bags and shields, rucking pads, scrum machines, contact suits, agility gear and kicking tees.3 pages
- 05Kit & apparelRugby jerseys, shorts, socks, base layers, training wear, team kit and club ordering.7 pages
- 06Sevens, league & touchGear and rules differences for sevens, rugby league, touch rugby, tag rugby and beach rugby.1 page
- 07Youth, coaching & refereesYouth and mini rugby gear, coaching equipment and resources, referee kit and club equipment.4 pages
- 08Conditioning & recoveryRugby strength and conditioning equipment, GPS vests, recovery tools and preseason fitness gear.3 pages