Allan Jacobsen and Ross Ford modelling the new World Cup kit
Scottish Rugby and its kit supplier, Canterbury of New Zealand, are today launching the revolutionary new jersey that will be worn by Andy Robinson’s Scotland team at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this autumn.
The shirt, which incorporates iconic gold detailing for the first time in the nation’s history, features the new Loop 21 collar design and latest LYCRA® SPORT fabric technology, providing Scotland with the best possible on-field support from the strongest jersey that Canterbury have ever produced in more than 100 years of kit manufacture.
Throughout months of research and development – in which Scotland players and coaches played a significant role – the Loop 21 neckline was tested to destruction by Progressive Sports Technologies (one of the leading sports technology institutes) based at Loughborough University, to ensure maximum strength and durability.
Advances in Temex fabric and the use of LYCRA® SPORT fabric provide improved sweat evaporation, enhanced freedom of movement and superior shape retention.
The revolutionary construction of the jersey improves players’ ability to evade tackles and provides bespoke position-specific support to enhance movement.
Whilst all player jerseys have extra grip built-in to the chest area to increase friction with the ball, the front five have additional panels on shoulders and lower torso to aid secure binding in a scrum.
To improve tackle evasion, low friction panels make up the arms and torsos of the backs’ jerseys, whereas for forwards this fabric is centred around the lower torso.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “We have been delighted to welcome some of Canterbury’s senior product development staff to our training camps in order that we could play our part in assisting in the development of this innovative new kit.
“In international sport we are all searching for something that will give us a legitimate edge and we look forward to wearing our new Canterbury kit at the Rugby World Cup.”
Chris Stephenson, Canterbury CEO, said: “The new kit is our most sophisticated to date and, as always, we have relished the challenge to release a tougher yet lighter jersey that will be showcased at this year’s Rugby World Cup.
“We are proud to be associated with Scotland throughout and beyond the Rugby World Cup and it is our privilege to support them in the best way we can, with the best jersey a player can wear. We look forward to seeing them in action in New Zealand later this year.”
Andy Robinson added: “We will also be wearing new kit under our new sponsorship with RBS.”
That sponsorship gets underway at the EMC Tests against Ireland (August 6) and Italy (August 20) with tickets for both these matches on sale now from £5 for children and students and £10 for adults from the Scottish Rugby website, www.scottishrugby.org.
Supporters get their opportunity to purchase the Rugby World Cup 2011 jersey exclusively from the official Scottish Rugby retailer, Greaves Sports, from today until Friday 1 July, at their store at Murrayfield and their stores in Gordon Street and Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. Thereafter the jersey will be available through all usual retail outlets.
The first time the RBS sponsored jersey will be available for purchase will be Friday 5 August – the day before the EMC Test against Ireland.
The RBS jerseys will retail for the same amount as the previous kit: £69.99 for the Test jersey and £49.99 for the Pro jersey. Children’s jerseys will be £40. The Rugby World Cup Test jersey will retail at £74.99, with the RWC Pro jersey retailing at £54.99.