Whenever you get a group of people together at a BBQ or a family gathering, and a rugby ball is obtained, you will always get people passing it back and forth in a sort of catch game between everyone. Hence, when we had a recent BBQ coming up at home, I bought this Gilbert Zenon Rugby Ball on the spur of a moment to provide some gaming fun, mainly on account that out last rugby ball was finally damaged by one of the dogs. At the time, they were only £4.99 in JJB Sports, reduced from £14.99. So for that price, and for what I wanted it for, it was a bargain.

The Gilbert Zenon Rugby Training Ball comes in 3 sizes, designated Size 3, Size 4 and Size 5. Size 3 (the one I got) is the smaller of the 3 and is more for children/teens. Size 4 is slightly larger, where Size 5 is the largest and is a full size version more suited for adults. I got the Size 3 version because it would also allow my kids to play with it as well as the adults.

The ball itself is made from a special combination of materials to give it toughness, waterproofness and durability - all good qualities that are required for a good rugby ball, where it is made up of a number of panels that have been stitched together. It is also very lightweight (as you would expect for a training ball for kids/teens age groups) meaning that it easy to throw and catch.

The outside of the ball has what can be best described as a rubberised pimpled grip, meaning that the surface of the ball is covered in small pimples. This aids the gripping of the ball when you catch or throw it, especially when it is wet. We've done some long range kicks with this ball when it was wet, and when you catch it at the other end, it just stops in your hands with that rubber pimpled grip, and doesn't just slip through.

Another good point is that when you do throw it, it also seems to hold its path well through the air, and doesn't seem to get too deviated by any wind, which is surprising given its light weight, but may also be that when you throw it right (a pointed end first like a missile with a spin on) the aerodynamics take effect with that pimpled skin, and give it a good flight path. Either way, it does feel good in your hands and during play.

In summary, for my needs, this was an ideal rugby ball, and my kids still get enjoyment from it now, bashing it around the garden. It is fully featured, tough and durable, and although I got it for the sale price of £4.99, I would have been happy to pay a full £14.99 for it. So a 5 star recommendation from me.

Review also on Ciao under Randal1.