New Meaning to Jersey Reveal

Long gone are the dull days of a typed press release announcing a new jersey.  Evolution was forced upon the crowds outside Cardiff library as groups of dancers dressed as members of the public began a very promptu flash mob.  Cardiff Blues "son of a Wexford farmer" Robin Copeland, lines out in this unveiling of the new home jersey.

Not one to be outdone, Bath winger Tom Biggs is literally doing things the opposite way round.  Whereas Copeland stripped to reveal the jersey, Biggs is having the new Bath jersey gradually painted onto his naked torso, until the final jersey will be revealed in time for a pre-season friendly against Bristol on August 17th.

That time can't come quick enough.  Not wanting to be overtaken, and not at all competitive (see video), Paul O'Connell took a break from his acting career to get involved.

They say Superman wears Paul O'Connell's pyjamas, well sometimes Paul O'Connell has to wear some things he doesn't like.  Recently on his stag do, the lifelong Everton fan was forced to dress as the famous 1980s Liverpool legend Ian Rush.  This sparked rumours that perhaps this was a thinly veiled Munster 2013-14 jersey.

Of course, the revelation of Munster's jersey was always going to be something of a surprise.  With Toyota outgoing as sponsors (along with a healthy fund of €900,000 per annum), it was only in May that Bank of Ireland (whose name already adorns the jerseys of Ulster and Leinster) were confirmed as sponsors.  The car manufacturer had sponsored Munster for 9 years and Bank of Ireland were their predecessors.  The news comes after retirement of talismanic Ronan O'Gara and 2012-13 captain Dougie Howlett, and paired with this season's Heineken Cup semi-final achievement will go some way towards providing future stability in the form of signings such as winger Gerhard van den Heever. 

Making a boomerang turnaround from the Lions tour (when he represented Munster) and his stag, Paulie came down to Cork for the Adidas Munster Rugby home jersey 2013-14 launch.

Received well thus far, there is no sign of following fellow European heavyweights Toulouse with gold stars representing Heineken Cup success.  The return of the navy shorts is welcomed by many.  One criticism is that the blocking of navy on the shoulders has the effect of reducing the apparent size, this paired with the curtailed course of the Adidas stripes gives the appearance of shoulder patches.  It has a retro feel to it, with some likening it to the jersey from 2003-4 - most memorable for the miracle match against Gloucester - hopefully new memories in the same vein will be forged in this jersey.

The full range including the alternative jersey will be released on August 23rd, and may well take its cue from the alternate jersey from 2003-4, with healthy smatterings of navy in a relatively straightforward reversal of the colour pallette.

The difficult economic climate also has repercussions when it comes to the Irish kit sponsors.  The IRFU announced earlier this year that Puma were to renege on their agreement 4 years into an 8 year contract.  The sportswear giant will provide for this coming season, giving the IRFU time to source a new kit supplier.  Current front runners include Nike and Adidas, although hot on the heels of securing a deal with Connacht, BLK are outside runners.  Suppliers of Super 15 teams Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies, they are embarking upon international contracts with Fiji and Samoa.  Regardless, this has not stopped Puma from making some minor tweaks to the existing kit and unleashing it upon the general public in time for the upcoming Joe Schmidt era.

Old jersey

New jersey

While the subtle change back to "an immediately recognisable green" will be welcomed by some, the new alternate jersey is dividing opinion.  Some have compared it to a Tron outfit, some have said it resembles two cars passing each other with a cat jumping out of the way.

Finally, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspurs announced their entry into the lucrative rugby market this morning, as Leinster's new Canterbury gear was released.  The motif running throughout is that of the four strings of the Ryanair harp dividing into 12 to signify the 12 counties of Leinster.  If this wasn't clear enough, "@leinsterrugby" adorns the nape as an additional design element.

Chelsea Magic

Jimmy Gopperth confused at the prospect of playing for Tottenham Hotspurs