“At least you can hang the jersey up and know you’ve done it proud for a day.”
This is a jersey fit to face the world’s best.
In the coming months, Ireland will face South Africa, Australia, Canada and New Zealand in seven Tests that will have a huge bearing on their rankings going into the 2019 World Cup pool draw.
Joe Schmidt’s men set off for South Africa this week and, in their three matches against the Springboks, will wear their newly designed jersey.
Ireland launched the kit as part of their brand new, four-year sponsorship with Vodafone with a spectacular, fan-powered #TeamOfUs event at the Aviva Stadium this morning and the initial reaction has been extremely positive.
Vodafone Ireland are the main sponsor of the side for the next four years and the theme of the jersey launch was ‘6 million threads, one team’. This reflects the stance the entire population has a stake in the team and its fortunes.
Vodafone’s recognisable red and white logo has pride of place in the centre of the jersey.
FULL TIME! Here is your brand new @IrishRugby and Vodafone jersey made by @canterburyNZ #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/accm5J899I
— Vodafone Ireland (@VodafoneIreland) May 30, 2016
The white ‘grandfather’ collar is the second stand-out feature and works well with solid green [no accents, stripes or piping] on the rest of the jersey.
The Irish players certainly look the part in their new kit.
All they have to do next is live up to that jersey, the crest and all they stand for.
