Win a Rugby World Cup Match Ball VALUE £129.99

When Japan and Russia kick off the Rugby World Cup™ in Tokyo on Friday 20 September, they will be doing so with the official Sirius match ball. Named after the brightest star in the night sky, which is visible from both the northern and southern hemispheres, it is

the seventh Rugby World Cup ball designed by Gilbert.

We’ve teamed up with Gilbert to offer one lucky reader the chance to win one of Gilbert’s new Sirius balls – worth £129.99.

The ball was two years in the making and made its debut in the Japan-New Zealand Test last November. Almost all of the features of the Match-XV ball used at RWC 2015 remain, with the one notable difference the enhanced grip pattern of the Sirius, which is designed to facilitate handling.

“Due to different manufacturing techniques that we’ve developed over the past two to three years, we’ve been able to get much more definition on the pimple. That’s the technical difference,” says Ian Savage, Gilbert’s ball engineer.

“You have to balance how the aerodynamics work with the pimples. You could make a ball really grippy by making the pimples a lot higher, but you wouldn’t be able to kick the ball in the same manner; it would be too aerodynamically unstable.

“It’s a balancing act, so what we’ve done with the Sirius is to change the definition of the pimples without changing the height; that’s why the aerodynamics are maintained whilst improving the grip.”

The world’s best players should reap the benefits of those patented star-shaped pimples during the Rugby World Cup – and you can too. Gilbert have given us a Sirius match ball worth £129.99 to give away to one lucky reader

To enter just answer this simple question:

Which city plays host to the opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup?

ANSWER IS (A)TokYo

Osaka

Yokohama

By submitting this entry you agree the terms and conditions below.

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at noon on Tuesday 01 October 2019.

One winners will be selected at random who will win a Gilbert Sirius match ball.

Normal TI Media Limited competition rules apply. Competition details form part of these terms and conditions. Entry is open to residents of the UK, Channel Islands and Republic of Ireland except employees (and their families) of TI Media Limited, its printers and agents, the suppliers of the prizes and any other companies associated with the competitions. The winners must be aged 18 or over. Proof of identity and age may be required. Use of a false name or address will result in disqualification. All entries must be made directly by the person entering the competition. Entries made online using methods generated by a script, macro or the use of automated devices will be void. The prizes are as stated, are not transferable to another individual and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. Prizes are subject to availability and the prize suppliers’ terms and conditions. The promoters reserve the right to amend or alter the terms of competitions and reject entries from entrants not entering into the spirit of the competition. The winner agrees to the use of his or her name, photograph and disclosure of county of residence and will co-operate with any other reasonable requests by TI Media Limited relating to any post-winning publicity. The winners will be chosen from all correct entries received by the closing date stated within the promotional material. Winners will be confirmed in writing. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact a winner. Failure to respond and/or provide an address for delivery, or failure to meet the eligibility requirements may result in forfeiture of the prize. If they cannot be contacted, or are unable to comply with these terms and conditions, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant drawn at random. Where applicable, the decision of the judges is final based on the criteria set out in the promotion and no correspondence will be entered into over this decision. Competitions may be modified or withdrawn at any time. The Service Provider and contact details are specified within the promotional material. When you enter this competition you are consenting to be added to the regular Rugby World newsletters and that TI Media Limited and its partners may contact you about relevant products or services and research via email. You can opt out at any time via the unsubscribe messages in the emails you are sent.

The decision of the promoter in all matters is final and binding. The promoter is Rugby World, TI Media, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 7BF.