1987
Here the ’87 kit as modelled by Donal Lenihan
No nonsense with this jumper.
Trevor Ringland was counting up the marginal gains long before Clive Woodward with this customised little number
Years later, another Trevor, Giles would take all the credit for this leap forward in wearable tech.
1991
Simon Geoghegan would have scored a heap more than 11 tries had he not been wearing a big green parachute
Nice laid back look to Ralph Keyes sporting his vintage ’91 kit
1995
Ah, here. These jerseys are definitely getting bigger
You could have fit two Nick Popplewells in there.
Black was always very slimming all the same
And we love the squad numbers on the shorts.
1999
Four years later, glimpses of professionalism
A kit supplier! Marvelous, but Dion O’Cuinneagain would have completed his dash for the try-line in half the time in more aerodynamic attire.
The Swoosh suited Conor O’Shea
2003
Perfection
Not too tight, not too loose. Just right.
A jersey you could go away and play rugby in or just wear casually while having a beer over breakfast watching Ireland almost beat the Wallabies
2007
Sums up the whole thing really, off colour and overcomplicated
The long sleeve option was an interesting development though
2011
A new crest and return to form
The material (like most modern jerseys) didn’t allow for much casual wear, but if you looked like Stephen Ferris, the snug fit looked great.
This was the year the hard-to-grab, rubbery feel to jerseys really caught hold
And the end of supporters being able to afford the hi-tech matchday option, so slightly cheaper, less Batman-esque options were also made available.
2015
Collars out
The 2015 version is classic in its simplicity — no collar, and the merest hint of white trim around the v-neck.
Some might prefer a little bit more pizazz but there’s no need to overcomplicate things really, is there?
