With teams releasing their kits ahead of the Rugby World Cup, it feels like we are now finally within touching distance of the global tournament.
England were one of the latest to show off their new threads as their Umbro home and away shirts were unveiled, with kick off in France fast approaching.
Here, we rank the Red Rose shirts from their first tournament outing back in 1987 right up to the 2023 edition so without further ado, here’s our ladder.
8. 2007 – Nike
It may well have been a year that England got to the final but this shirt was a disaster. For some, the red sash on white was rather amusingly very reminiscent of a pack of Embassy No.1 cigarettes – and although things got better, England started their campaign as if they’d smoked a carton of them before kick off. It’s a real marmite shirt – and for us we’d rather have marmalade.
Simon Shaw and Nick Easter at Rugby World Cup 2007.
7. 2015 – Canterbury
James Haskell may well have given this shirt the thumbs up but it’s as forgettable as England’s 2015 World Cup campaign itself. Players liked the vee neck as it made the shirt easy to get on and off, although for us it’s a little undecided – rather like that penalty kick against Wales.
England back-row James Haskell at 2015 Rugby World Cup.
6. 2011 – Canterbury
Whilst not near the top of the list, there’s a real simplicity about this shirt that makes it a winner, rather unlike the team that wore it. However, the colourways were identical to the amateur era classic shirts and that in itself is a big win.
England wing Mark Cueto (left) at 2011 Rugby World Cup.
5. 1995 – Cotton Traders
An absolute banger from Fran Cotton’s underrated clothing house. This one came with large wide red stripes with blue trim down the sleeve, allegedly specifically made to make the England backs more visible targets to the oncoming thunder of Jonah Lomu.
Another one still available to this day.
England hooker Brian Moore at 1995 Rugby World Cup.
4. 2019 – Canterbury
Classic white with a vee neck wasn’t the most daring of designs but it has a simplicity that many loved. It also helped that the RWC Japan logo was a beautiful thing. As Manu Tuilagi demonstrates in this photo, the rumours of all of the England players refusing to wear their silver medal were greatly exaggerated.
England centre Manu Tuilagi after 2019 Rugby World Cup final.
3. 1987 – Nike
No logos, if you were lucky enough and senior enough you might be allowed to cut your sleeves off, especially if your name was Dean Richards.
Nevertheless, a fan’s favourite to this day, especially amongst the dads of middle England and arguably the shirt that launched it all.
England number eight Dean Richards at 1987 Rugby World Cup.
2. 1991 – Cotton Traders
The first time the hallowed all-white of England got the make-over treatment with hoops and collar flashes, these shirts are so well loved you can still buy them some 32 years later. Cotton’s sportwear company broke the mould, copyrighting a new version of the Red Rose in order to raise revenue for the RFU.
England fly-half Rob Andrew at 1991 Rugby World Cup.
1. 2003 – Nike
It really had to be didn’t it? It’s iconic, simple and best of all was a massive step forward in shirt technology. However, spare a thought for the poor props who’d managed to play Test rugby for some 100 years with some modicum of modesty, only to find their carb cheating had been exposed to the world.
England trio Neil Back, Lawrence Dallaglio and Richard Hill at 2003 Rugby World Cup.
READ MORE: All the 2023 Rugby World Cup jerseys as they are released
The article Ranked: England’s jerseys worn at the Rugby World Cup appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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