England Reportedly Dropping Umbro for New Kit Deal – Fans Already Fuming
Rugby NewsTuesday, 24 December 2024 at 08:03
The RFU is reportedly set to part ways with Umbro, with Castore emerging as the frontrunner to take over England Rugby’s kit supply rights, according to
SportBusiness
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Big ambitions, big losses
Despite posting a hefty £28.9m loss for the year ending February 2024, Castore has bounced back by securing £145m in investments, propelling its valuation to nearly £1bn.
The brand isn’t a stranger to rugby, already kitting out elite sides like Harlequins and Saracens. But their quality hasn’t always scored points, with Leinster fans the most recently left unimpressed.
Umbro deal in jeopardy
This news comes as a surprise, considering Umbro signed a deal extension in 2021 to provide kits for England’s men’s, women’s, sevens, and youth teams until 2028. Yet sources have suggested to SportBusiness a new supplier announcement is imminent, signaling a potential change in the works.
Castore’s clever play
Castore’s connection to Umbro goes deeper than expected. Earlier this year, the brand struck a deal with GL Dameck, the exclusive sub-licence holder for Umbro Professional Team Sports across multiple countries, including the UK.
This arrangement already allows Castore to market and supply Umbro-branded RFU kits. However, for their own branding to appear on England shirts, they’d need to officially replace—or ‘novate’—Umbro’s existing deal.
Could we soon see England donning Castore kits? The stage is set, and all eyes are on the RFU for the final call.
Fans poll:
Rugby’s Top Earners: The 20 Highest-Paid Players in the Game Right Now
Who’s next to break the £1 million barrier? Let the salary race begin.
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Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players #2
If you’re over 30 and can’t name these iconic rugby stars from the 2000s, we have to ask: were you really paying attention? Back by popular demand, it’s time for part two of our nostalgic quiz.
From stunning tries to unforgettable moments—and yes, some hairstyles we’d rather forget—these players were at the heart of rugby’s golden era. If the names don’t come flooding back, it might be time to fire up YouTube and relive the magic.
Think you’ve got what it takes to ace this one? Let’s find out. Good luck!
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