New Ireland rugby shirts have become an annual event, with the kit for the coming season launched on Friday.
Go to the IRFU website for the marketing spiel, or go to the42.ie for a piece we wrote earlier this year on how things have changed in terms of commercialism.
Or just stay here to look at how the jersey has evolved over three decades since the original intrusion of manufacturers’ markings (click on any kit to enlarge it).
the most noticeable change with rugby shirts over the last decade has been how they’ve gone from the traditional style buttoned-up collared shirt (typically made of hard-wearing cotton) that had been almost unchanged for several decades to a style that is not a million miles away from football, but of a strong wearing and yet relatively lightweight synthetic material… I think it all started with those almost figure hugging Nike strips of the 2003 World Cup, and over time the traditional look got phased out by other manufacturers… though to be honest the Canterbury shirts of 2007 looked a tad “overdesigned” to me with all that complex trim.
I’m still not sure what that collar is all about on the 2011 jersey, I remember watching the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup (sorry, bit of bragging rights there 😉 ) and honestly thought at first glance that one of the players had “customised” the collar on their jersey, only to see it on the other players as well and it was like a “WTF?” moment.
Beautiful work. I want to do the same for the Italian rugby national team. Can you tell me how you have done it and which programme have you used?
Thanks for your help
my email is Brandano51@gmail.com
Just got a jersey from st vinnies $7 …fits perfect….XL…in premo nick …i look after mine …so it came to a good home …ģooď luck ireland (even tho i was born in NZ)…..it has to be the final 🏆
Need to add the August 2011 white top v france too 🙂 a criminally underrated top!