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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
— Gaz (@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 U (@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
https://twitter.com/tedharding/status/1302925846336987136?s=20
I really like these new @UmbroUK England rugby shirts. Simple, clean lines, but £100/£70?! Nope. https://t.co/Gh4HUrOInb
— James Glen (@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
— Rugbycology (@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
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments