Training Rugby balls are a very cost effective option for practices and low level game play or as an entry point for new players.  They are designed with cost and durability in mind rather than maximum short term performance.  Training balls tend to be made with more synthetic rubber which makes them more resilient but have less grip than match balls which use more natural rubber.

They also tend to have their valve on the panels as opposed to inside the seam as match balls do.  This can cause the balls to not spin or kick quite as true as a match ball.  Training balls will usually have ply’s constructed of more cotton as well.