England training with smaller balls before WXV Global Series – John Mitchell

World Rugby’s new size 4.5 balls – about 3% smaller but the same weight as a regulation size five – will be used for the WXV Global Series and are now in use in the England camp.

Their introduction has not been without controversy. In May, England fly-half Zoe Harrison said it is “the worst decision someone has ever made”.

Mitchell said the attacking players and kickers were all given one to take home for the holidays but he believes “coaching” was key to the success of teams using it.

“If you want to get better at something, regardless of the size of the ball, it’s all about coaching. So I think our girls have been well-coached,” he said.

“I think it’s too early for for me to say that it’s going to help our offloading game or it’s going to help out with the pass. I’m sure there’s consequences as well.

“There might be more contestable kicking, which is probably something that we want to keep away from our game because it’s a point of difference between our game and the men’s game.”

World Rugby held a trial for the smaller balls with female players on the top-tier Sevens circuit in November.

Mitchell said the trial “certainly might help other teams” but he added conclusions would likely be drawn after the first three Tests at home.