With European Rugby back on the agenda this weekend, nobody else seems to be talking about the most important thing about the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup… those beautifully bespoke European jerseys.
Not every team opts to produce a unique European shirt of course, but plenty of teams now do. Check out a full list of all the teams who have so far below – we’ll be updating this list as more jerseys are revealed.
Bath Rugby
Despite changing their home and away shirts for the new season, Bath have opted to stick with the same design that they wore last year for their 2018/19 Champions Cup campaign.
The shirt features a black base with gold accents complete with a striking blue and white stripe that runs across the middle.
Bristol Bears
The Bears will make their return to European rugby following their promotion back to the Aviva Premiership this season, and they’ve got themselves a new kit for Challenge Cup action, too.
The new kit is all black with the only ornamentation being white hoops on the jersey sleeves.
Cardiff Blues
The 2017/18 Challenge Cup winners will take their place in the Champions Cup once again this season, and they’ll be doing it in a very different kind of shirt.
The grey and black design features faded hoops and a sky blue yoke around the shoulders.
Castres Olympique
The surprise 2017/18 Top 14 Champions are heading back to the Champions Cup wearing an all-black European jersey that’s one of the most eye-catching of the lot.
The shirt features and interesting grey and black chevron pattern with classic Castres blue accents on the sleeve cuffs and on the jersey front.
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Clermont find themselves in the borderline-unthinkable position of being in the Challenge Cup this season, but some things will be familiar at least.
ASM have opted for dark blue or black shirts in Europe in recent years and that’s the same story here, with a dark blue design being favoured for 2018/19.
Connacht Rugby
Connacht have traditionally worn blue or black for their European jaunts, but they’ll be sporting a different look for the Challenge Cup this year.
Instead we have this light grey jersey with black trim and striking neon green piping – plus a large Connacht eagle sublimated into the body.
Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester’s rebrand this season has seen them ditch the traditional hoops for their home jersey, but they’re back for the European kit… after a fashion.
They’ll head into the Champions Cup wearing this eye-catching dark blue and pink hooped design.
Leinster Rugby
It’s a new era for Leinster Rugby this season as they find themselves wearing Adidas gear for the first time after a long, long time in Canterbury.
Their first Adidas European shirt is an interesting vertical pinstriped design in a shade called ‘Night navy’.
Lyon OU
Lyon qualified for the Champions Cup for the first time ever in 2018, and they’ll be celebrating the fact with a strikingly modern jersey.
The shirt features the club’s traditional red and black colour scheme but in an interesting ‘cracked glass’ pattern.
Montpellier Herault Rugby
Black and gold has always been the colour scheme of choice for Montpellier in European competition, and it’s no different this year.
They’ll compete in the Champions Cup wearing a black tonal spotted jersey with pale gold trim on the sleeves and collar.
Munster Rugby
Munster have a proud European pedigree and they’ll look to make Thomond Park a fortress again in the Champions Cup this season.
It’s fitting then that their 2018/20 European shirt is a tribute to the stands of that famous ground, accenting the classic red jersey.
Ospreys
The Welsh region find themselves in the Challenge Cup this season and will be looking to make a dent wearing the same European jersey they wore in last season’s Champions Cup.
The eye-catching black and heathered grey design features flouro yellow accents and CCC’s 2017/19 collar style.
Stade Toulousain
The European aristocrats haven’t been doing much to act like it over the last few seasons, but they’re back in the Champions Cup for 2018/19 and have a nice new shirt to match.
The new jersey is red with an interesting diagonal tonal striped pattern running across the front of it.
Ulster Rugby
Ulster squeezed into the Champions Cup as a result of winning an end of season playoff match last season, and the only new shirt they’ve brought out this season is a brand new European design.
The shirt is plain red – colour of the province’s jerseys when they won the Heineken Cup back in 1999 – with black accents.
Zebre Rugby
Zebre have caused quite a stir in the Pro14 this season with some impressive performances and an eye-catching new black home shirt.
Their new European shirt is equally eye-catching – sporting a sky blue base with rainbow zebra-print pattern.
Seen any European shirts we’ve missed? Comment below or drop us an email and we’ll make sure they get added to the feature!
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