Gilbert extends World Rugby partnership

World Rugby, the global governing body for rugby union, has extended its partnership with sports equipment manufacturer Gilbert.

The company will continue as the official ball supplier for World Rugby’s major 15s tournaments until at least 2023.

The agreement will cover the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2019 and 2023, as well as the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021, the World Rugby U20 Championship and Trophy, and the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup.

Richard Gray, sales and marketing director for Gilbert Rugby, said: “We are particularly excited by the opportunity to support World Rugby by investing in the development of the sport in new rugby countries, as an integral part of the agreement. 

“Coupled with our existing support of the World Rugby sevens programme, this new agreement cements the Gilbert ball at the heart of the game. We are looking forward to launching our new Rugby World Cup collection over the coming months in the run up to Japan 2019, culminating in the unveiling of our new match ball.”

Gilbert has served as an official supplier of the Rugby World Cup since 1995 and also has a deal in place with World Rugby to supply both the men’s and women’s World Rugby Sevens Series.World Rugby, the global governing body for rugby union, has extended its partnership with sports equipment manufacturer Gilbert.