WITH JUST OVER 70 days until Ireland’s World Cup opener, and Joe Schmidt’s squad now knee-deep in preparations, Ireland’s home and alternate kits for this year’s tournament in Japan — as well as their post-World Cup attire — have been unveiled.
The Canterbury-designed World Cup kits will be worn by Ireland as they bid to navigate their way out of Pool A alongside hosts Japan, Scotland, Russia and Samoa in what will be Schmidt’s final campaign in charge.
As per World Rugby regulations, teams are not permitted to display sponsor’s logos on World Cup jerseys, so Ireland’s home jersey for the tournament is a simple design, with the RWC 2019 branding, the Canterbury logo and the IRFU crest emblazoned on it.
Ireland will wear their traditional white shorts and green socks, and the home jersey is priced at €90 and €66 for kids.
“The home jersey arrives in a familiar and distinctly Irish Bosphorus green with subtle white trim and is complemented by classic white shorts and a hyper realistic 3D silicon IRFU logo,” Canterbury say.
The alternate white kit, meanwhile, has the same crossover collar design with a navy colouring across the shoulders.
“The new alternate jersey comes in a striking anthracite and textured white,” the designers added. “The jerseys feature Ogham script for ‘Aontacht‘ or ‘Unity’, representing the unique coming together of the four proud provinces of Ireland.”
“Canterbury has produced a range of kit that ticks all the boxes from a player perspective in terms of functionality, comfort and design,” Robbie Henshaw said.
“First and foremost the kit needs to stand up to the physical and environmental challenges that await us in Japan, but it also needs to look good on and off the pitch, for players and fans alike.”
Ireland open their World Cup against Scotland on 22 September, but the new kits are likely to get a run out before then, when Schmidt’s side face Italy, England and Wales in warm-up games in August and early September.
The new non-World Cup jerseys — essentially the same design but including sponsors Vodafone’s logo, with the Canterbury logo moved from centre to left and minus the World Cup badge — will be donned post-Japan.
What do you think of the new kits?
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