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Fans hail Umbro for dialling it down with new England rugby kit
Umbro have been praised for the simplicity of their new England rugby kit, which was launched today after months of waiting.
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It was announced in May that the kit supplier would be taking over from Canterbury, reigniting an association with rugby which had died out in the 21st Century. This was initially criticized by some due to the brand’s apparent connection with other sports, chiefly football, but many seem to be pleasantly surprised.
After replacing an esteemed rugby brand in Canterbury, there was pressure on Umbro with this kit launch, and many on social media feel they have played it safe by not differing too greatly from the previous kit.
This is what many seemingly want from an England shirt rather than something slightly more experimental.
Umbro have already branched out into rugby this past year by sponsoring the Bristol Bears, which has already proven popular.
Perhaps most importantly from the Rugby Football Union’s perspective is that this four-year deal is believed to bring in more than the previous £5 million a year deal with Canterbury.
While there will inevitably be a sense of disdain towards Umbro by some, the added revenue for the RFU is crucial in the wake of coronavirus, while it must also be noted that the brand’s association with rugby dates back to the 1970s, and it was even the kit supplier for the British and Irish Lions in the 1980s.
Simplicity, as it turns out, is what England fans want in their kits, although there were obviously some that had let their imagination run wild over the past few weeks as to what Umbro might produce.
The deal with Canterbury was set to expire this summer, with England’s tour of Japan being the final time of donning the shirts they have worn since 2012. However, the pandemic scuppered those plans, meaning England’s last outing in a Canterbury shirt was the Guinness Six Nations win over Wales.
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Gone safe as they knew the backlash likely to come if they’d gone far out like the way they show it being pulled as if to prove they won’t rip ? looks like they’ve just changed a Canterbury badge for Umbro
— Gary (@gaz2066) September 7, 2020
I was genuinely worried when @UmbroUK were announced as the kit supplier for @EnglandRugby – but this is a really nice England kit #triedandtested
— James Newhall (@jamesnewhall) September 7, 2020
With some of the rumours and “leaks” doing the rounds, I was worried what this was actually going to look like but that is actually very very smart ?? I like it.
— George Uppington (@uppy89) September 7, 2020
That looks really smart there will still be some brand snobs that don’t like it just because it’s Umbro ????
— Andrew Briggs (@chogger5) September 7, 2020
Isn't it nice when a brand just keeps it simple.
No BS – just an England shirt. Job done https://t.co/AkfXAoXa2B
— Ted Harding (@tedharding) September 7, 2020
I really like these new @UmbroUK England rugby shirts. Simple, clean lines, but £100/£70?! Nope. https://t.co/Gh4HUrOInb
— ??? (@james__glen) September 7, 2020
Now that's a proper shirt. No fuss. Tell us who it is. It's about the team, not the brand, but still classy. https://t.co/8uWBDAh1PM
— ??????? s?????s (@rugbycology) September 7, 2020
White shirt with some red and a rose on ?
Nothing quite a like an England kit launch. https://t.co/5MsYtN8oay
— Alastair (@HRTinker) September 7, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
A very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
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