Rugby Australia, alongside the British & Irish Lions, are pleased to announce that Gilbert has been chosen as the official and exclusive match ball supplier to the Lions tour to Australia, with Gilbert also continuing as the official ball and protective wear of the Wallabies.
The renewal strengthens Gilbert’s position as the number one rugby ball in World Rugby, supplying balls to the world’s premier international teams along with the biggest and best club tournaments and competitions across the men’s and women’s game.
As part of the new agreement, Gilbert will continue to supply its world leading balls to the Wallabies, along with its market-leading player protective wear.
Dating back to 1823 and celebrating its bicentenary in 2023, Gilbert has a unique heritage, with William Gilbert supplying some of the very first rugby balls to Rugby School, when William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball and ran with it.
Today, Gilbert’s iNNOVO match ball remains the preferred choice of the world’s leading players and competitions, with the now famous, coloured Gilbert ellipse trims, synonymous with the game, continuing to be used to enhance player and fan visibility and engagement.
Gilbert has prepared a thrilling range of official licensed balls to commemorate the upcoming Tour, with the Series Ball available for fans across the globe to purchase when it goes on sale next month.
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Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said: “We’re thrilled Gilbert are on board for what’s going to be an absolutely outstanding British & Irish Lions Series down under, with the visitors playing nine matches across six cities over six weeks.”
“The Gilbert ball has been at the centre of so many of our sport’s most celebrated moments and it’s only fitting that it will be again later this year in Australia.”
Gilbert Rugby Commercial CEO, Richard Gray said: “We are delighted to be renewing our successful relationship with the British & Irish Lions and the Wallabies.
"This represents a ringing endorsement of the Gilbert match ball and the wider brand strength and service we offer to the world’s best players.
"We are excited to see the wonderful official match ball in action – Lions tours are always such a wonderful occasion and a fantastic opportunity for us to engage new fans – we are confident rugby fans across the World will enjoy the official ball design."
British & Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley said: “Gilbert have been key part of The British & Irish Lions story and I am delighted that iconic balls will once again be used throughout the Series.
“A Lions Tour is about bringing together the best of the best - and that is true in every area. The very best players and coaches need the best equipment and it is great that, together with Rugby Australia, we both have Gilbert on our side.”
Gilbert Rugby is a legendary brand with 200 years of expertise in crafting the finest rugby balls. From humble beginnings in the 1820s, Gilbert Rugby has become the ball of choice for the world's greatest rugby competitions. With a reputation for innovation, precision and quality, Gilbert Rugby is the ultimate symbol of rugby excellence. Proud to be the official ball of every Rugby World Cup since 1995, Gilbert is a market leader in the production and supply of rugby goods including: rugby balls, rugby boots, rugby clothing and rugby equipment.
It is the official supplier of the most prestigious rugby tournaments and competitions in the world, such as World Rugby, Guinness Six Nations, European Professional Club Rugby, United Rugby Championship, Premiership Rugby, Super Rugby, the Rugby Sevens event at Paris 2024 Olympic Games HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and most of the World’s leading international teams.
Western Force v British & Irish Lions at 5:45pm AWST on Saturday 28 June at Optus Stadium, Perth
Queensland Reds v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 2 July at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
New South Wales Waratahs v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday 5 July at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
ACT Brumbies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Wednesday 9 July at GIO Stadium, Canberra
AUNZ Invitational XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:15pm ACST on Saturday 12 July at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 19 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
First Nations & Pasifika XV v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Tuesday 22 July at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday July 26 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Wallabies v British & Irish Lions at 7:45pm AEST on Saturday August 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
