Ah purple, the national colour of Ireland. Or not.
The Ireland rugby team launched their new alternate kit on Thursday, and it’s a complete break from tradition.
Not that alternate kits have much of a tradition, but this is the first time the Irish team have worn purple, so we reckon that qualifies as breaking from tradition.
The kit, manufactured by Canterbury, will be worn during the autumn internationals in November. According to the press release, the kit “focuses on the heritage surrounding Irish rugby.”
“Taking inspiration from Lansdowne Road, the oldest rugby ground in the world and the historical home of the IRFU, 4 gold bar tacks link to the embroidery on the original Lansdowne Caps.”
Fair enough, but some Irish rugby fans were left somewhat confused by the choice of colour.
A closer l👀k at the 2016/17 @IrishRugby alternate jersey ☘
Pre-order now 👉🏻 https://t.co/KBk8Qd9SWl #CommittedToTheGame pic.twitter.com/GRF4ZP2Bnh
— Canterbury (@canterburyNZ) September 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/cianormo88/status/778934162476630016
It's…purple. I do not know how I feel about this #rugby #jerseywatch pic.twitter.com/LaEO23nlE6
— Kate McEvoy (@ImKateMc) September 22, 2016
Why is the Ireland alternative kit purple? pic.twitter.com/zXRDBxyZUh
— Raphaella (@RaphaellaChiara) September 22, 2016
@IrishRugby Strange colour for an Ireland jersey
— DarthAlcoholic (@DarthAlcoholic) September 22, 2016
@IrishRugby No thanks! What team would Ireland have to wear other than the green or white strips? What happened to “Be See, Wear Green”
— AJ McLaughlin (@AJ_McLaughlin7) September 22, 2016
@IrishRugby LOVE that colour
— Amanda T (@Inmy_tree) September 22, 2016
