WALES OUT OF RED AND INTO BLACK

The reigning Six Nations champions have played in many change shirts in their 125 year history, including white, green, ecru and even black,  but have never faced one of the International Rugby Board’s other foundation Unions – Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, or France – wearing any colour other than red.

To celebrate the Welsh Rugby Union’s 125th anniversary next year, official kit supplier Reebok has launched a celebratory black shirt, which will be available in the shops from 27th October and will be worn by Wales for the first time when they take on Fiji at the Millennium Stadium on 11th November, as well as against the Wallabies in the final match of the series.

“We are all looking forward to the first opportunity to see Mike Ruddock’s side play in this new kit against Fiji and hopefully to witnessing a  start for Wales in black,” said WRU chief executive Steve Lewis.

“It’s also fitting that in our 125th season, we will face the mighty Wallabies for the first time in a change strip and who knows, if Mike and captain Gareth Thomas can engineer a first win over the Aussies since 1987, we may decide to make a habit of it.”

The traditional style Wales replica shirt with collar will be retailed at £50, while Reebok have also produced a black ‘pro-spec’ shirt – the collarless, tight-fitting shirt identical to those the players wear on matchday – which retails at £65.

The full kit is predominantly black, but features both red and white markings across the shoulders and is matched with black shorts and white socks.

The pro-spec shirts are made from stretch play dry polyester and provide enhanced breathability, keeping players – and fans – cool and giving ease of movement.

The shirts are also engineered for a ‘tight’ athletic fit, offering ease of movement for the player – and reducing ‘tackleability’.

Reebok have also produced a full range of official black leisure wear available from polo shirts to fleeces and, for the first time, the pro-spec shirt will be sold in children’s sizes.
        
The kit will be available from October 27th from the Welsh Rugby Union shop, both online at www.wru.co.uk and at the Millennium Stadium and from all good sport retailers. 

Ryan Giggs joined Wales’ rugby stars Micheal Owen, Martyn Williams, Ryan Jones, Shane Williams, Gavin Henson and Gethin Jenkins as one of the first to wear the new 125th anniversary shirt.

“It was nice to receive a congratulations message from the Welsh rugby camp after we beat Northern Ireland last week,” added Giggs.

“And we’d like to return the sentiment by wishing them the best of luck against New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa and Australia next month.

“I understand they are having a few injury problems at the moment but we all hope they’ll be fighting fit for November.”