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One popular gripe emerges from thrilling Six Nations finale

Press Association
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12 comments

The Six Nations signed off with a 48-46 classic in Paris, a match so wild it will live long in the memory.

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But while the rugby delivered chaos, drama and a last-gasp Thomas Ramos winner, viewers across social media found themselves strangely united on one issue: the kits.

France ran out in a limited-edition light blue strip, a shade so pale that, under the Stade de France floodlights, it drifted dangerously close to England’s traditional white. And fans could not believe it had been allowed to happen.

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Former England international Austin Healey spoke for thousands when he asked bluntly: “How have they let France wear light blue” during a blue-vs-white fixture that left plenty of people squinting at their screens.

One supporter summed up the general confusion: “Not sure why France are playing in light blue but it’s not that easy distinguishing between the two teams.”

As the game ramped up in intensity, so too did the complaints, with viewers insisting that the colour clash was affecting their ability to follow the action.

Popular X poster James Melville was even more direct, criticising whoever signed off on the decision: “Whoever decided to put France in a light blue kit against England’s white kit should have a word with themselves.”

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One fan drew comparisons with last week’s colour-blindness protocols, which saw Wales avoid wearing red against Ireland’s green. That move received praise for being inclusive and forward-thinking, which only made this weekend’s choice more baffling.

Said fan wrote: “Last week I questioned why Wales weren’t playing in red against Ireland (green) and was told it was to prevent problems with colour blindness – fair enough. So how are France and England allowed to play in this evenings colours then?”

Rugby journalist Ben Coles, who was watching live in Paris, pointed out that they were fine in person. “Kits look fine live btw (the red socks help).”

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Comments

12 Comments
P
Pablo 43 days ago

The only thing I know for sure is that this France shirt is a pure thing of beauty. It was a special edition, so I don’t see the problem with England playing in a dark kit.

H
HJ 44 days ago

I had no problem watching and discerning who was who. A quick glimpse at the socks - French rouge to England's blue. No problem. The entire world changes for a few colour blind ? England’s management and coaching, especially lack of skills matters more to me. Oh well…

T
Timmyboy 44 days ago

They should have gone to specsavers

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PMcD 45 days ago

I think the popular gripe for ENG fans was that we played super dull tactics with the wrong player selection by our Head Coach.


P.S I real;ly liked the power blue shirts, they looked pretty cool for a change. 👍

P
PMcD 45 days ago

If that’s what the pundits are looking at, they are not doing their job.


It’s official, ENG had the worst defence in the 6N’s. They put in the least number of tackles (635 being 127 ave per game), with the lowest tackle completion of all teams 77%.


So when you go from world class levels in November of 190 tackles at 90% completion, change the defence coach and deliver 127 at 77%, what do we think the outcome should be for that coach, especially one that had never coached defence before.


Then look at the Head Coach and ask him why he thought this was a good decision.


Look at those areas and you are starting to have a more positive conversation.

L
Larry B 45 days ago

An absolutely ridiculous decision that made watching the game very difficult. Should not ever be allowed, in ANY sports with two teams going at it! Hugely disappointing and baffling! But, a great game in the end anyway! 😊🇫🇴🇲🇫💥

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EvilMockingJay 45 days ago

And why always blaming the french ?! The one who play at home decide the color of his jersey. Were we playing in Twickenham ? England also have a red jersey for these kind of games, if i’m not mistaken. It’s THEIR fault, because they refused to play with it. Again, why always blaming french side, when it’s clearly not our fault, but an England one ? It’s annoying.

It’s like if we played in Scotland, with them wearing some kind of exclusive blue and we refuse to play in white, and use our blue. Never happened, because we respect the other team. Time to England fed and fans to respect other teams too…

At least, England team showed respect (well well, there is that young Pollock, but he’s the kind of England player we love to hate and hate to love) by playing their best rugby and that’s the most beautiful thing to remember. Legendary Crunch. If you have heart problems DO NOT watch xD

u
unknown 45 days ago

Rugby tradition is for the home team to wear their away kit when there is a clash. Also France chose to wear that kit rather than their traditional deeper blue so that’s why people are directing this to France not England

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SB 45 days ago

For the colour blind, apparently the game was unwatchable. Why England did not play in black is beyond me.

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PMcD 45 days ago

It should have been the dark blue or red kit.

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EvilMockingJay 45 days ago

Oh so it’s black ? I just said it was red, well well mistakes happens xD

Yeah, and all those fans blaming the french side when it’s England choice to not play with exterior jersey that make this match look difficult to watch for daltonian people. Indeed, I have some french daltonian friends, they said they couldn’t watch it.

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