IRFU And PUMA Launch New Ireland Kit

Launched today at the Radisson Hotel in Stillorgan, Dublin, the new kit and training apparel was modelled by some of the squad’s Grand Slam-winning players, including captain Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Luke Fitzgerald, John Hayes, Ronan O’Gara, Stephen Ferris, Gordon D’Arcy, Paddy Wallace and David Wallace.

Ireland Women’s international Grace Davitt was also on hand to help launch the kit.

The home shirt marks a return to a more traditional colour with a green (‘Power Green’) carefully selected to symbolize the country of Ireland, with its rich history and tradition.

The shirt features a revolutionary double layer construction. The inner layer is especially designed to lift moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where, the outer layer facilitates a very rapid evaporation, to ensure the player is kept dry.

Seams and ‘pumaflex’ stretch panels are strategically positioned to improve the player’s freedom of movement, particularly around the torso where a rugby player’s body needs to twist and turn constantly during a game so that the player is not restricted or uncomfortable when reaching for the ball or diving in for a tackle.

An athletic fit ensures each garment is as comfortable as it can be for each player, supporting the muscles as best as possible to improve confidence and reduce fatigue whilst also limiting any unnecessary fabric that can be grabbed by an opposing player.

The replica home shirt will go on sale at all good sports retailers nationwide on Thursday, October 8. The authentic player’s jersey or pro jersey is priced at €;85, and the replica jersey is €;65.

You can pre-order the new PUMA Ireland jerseys – home, away, training, women’s and children’s – from the IRFU’s own webshop, www.IrishRugbyShop.ie.

For a direct link to the new range, please click here.

Chairman and CEO of PUMA, Jochen Zeitz said: “Developing the team kit, replica kit and training equipment has been an extremely exciting process for the brand and we’re proud to have worked so closely with both the players and the coaching staff to achieve a really strong and exciting new range of Irish rugby kit.

“We wanted to produce a kit design that had an understated modern look and feel. ‘Power Green’ has a contemporary feel to it but pays tribute to the great Irish teams of the past.

“The new kit incorporates PUMA’s latest technologies that have been used in the past for some of the most demanding sporting occasions – and has performed extraordinarily from the Pit Lane at Imola to the 100 metre finals in Beijing and Berlin.

“We have worked hard to bring all of that global and winning expertise to the playing fields of Ireland, with a new IRFU Rugby collection that is built to be durable with performance enhancing cut lines that allows the players to move as freely as possible.

“We hope that everyone involved with the team will be proud to wear the new kits of the 2009 Grand Slam winners.”

Irish Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Philip Browne added: “Developing a range of kit is always a challenge but I am delighted to say that the design detail, technology and choice of ‘Power Green’ has led to a very positive reaction from the players.

“We feel that this range not only provides the squad with the latest and necessary kit technology to compete at the highest level, but will also present itself as the ideal option for players at all levels in Ireland.

“We are very excited about the kit and look forward to a successful relationship with our new partners Puma.”