Couple of controversial design choices as England launch new World Cup jerseys

Patrick McCarry

The kit designers have saved their creative splashes for the ‘alternate’ kit.

We are deep into 2023 World Cup preparations and kit launch season is upon us. Ireland’s new offering left fans divided, last week, while the latest England jersey has been launched.

Umbro and England Rugby have revealed the new home and alternate kits that will be worn by the men’s teams at Rugby World Cup 2023, in France. The gear will be donned for the first time in the Summer Nations Series in August for matches against Wales, Ireland and Fiji.

‘From England, with love’ is the Umbro campaign motto for the World Cup. Here is the design blurb that many of you love so much:

‘Both home and alternate kits feature contoured anatomical knit panelling and a structure that moves with the body, giving players a feeling of power and confidence in their performance. The crisp white of the home shirt emphasises muscular biomechanics, while the rich navy alternate shirt provides a regal aesthetic.’

Included in the release is this super gusto take from England vice captain, Ellis Genge, “Every time we wear the rose, whether it’s in training or in a game, we play with passion and pride. Playing for your country at a major tournament is a buzz and an honour. We’ll be heading to France fully prepared and can’t wait to give our all for our fans, family and friends.”

As you will see below, the home jersey is devoid of much colour but does feature some feint grey flecking across the midriff. The biggest calls are the collars on both the home and alternate jerseys, which are rounded and quick thick. Not everyone will be enamoured with that.

England’s Rugby World Cup shirt#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/WxlxMYe309

— Alex Lowe 📰 (@AlexMLowe) July 18, 2023

Red Roses England jersey also launched

Coinciding with the launch was the release of the new Red Roses kit, which, we are told, continues to ‘feature its own unique identity’.

That kit will first be seen in September as the reigning Six Nations champions play home fixtures against Canada, before they head out to New Zealand.