Irish Rugby has announced a four-year extension to their kit sponsorship deal with Canterbury of New Zealand, meaning that the brand will continue to provide apparel for all Ireland representative teams until at least 2024.
As part of the announcement, the IRFU revealed that the new Ireland home shirt will be revealed next month, and teased the new jersey briefly in the below video. It’s a brief glimpse, but it’s enough to indicate that the new jersey will have dark green trim around the collar and sleeves, and looks to be using the same basic template, complete with crossover collar, as last year.
“Canterbury has been the Official Kit partner to the IRFU since 2014 and this four-year renewal will make our partnership one of the most enduring in rugby,” said Padraig Power, IRFU Commercial Director.
“The ongoing quality and appearance of the kit reflects the significant R&D and design expertise which Canterbury brings. We operate in a demanding environment as we strive to ensure our international teams are turned out in kit which incorporates the very latest technological advances, while at the same time presenting a design that is contemporary and attractive to our supporters.”
The IRFU deal is a welcome boost to Canterbury after a series of recent setbacks. One of the most respected and beloved brands in rugby union for decades, Canterbury has been the most commonly worn brand at the last two Rugby World Cups, but has found its profile shrinking in recent years.
Long-time Canterbury team Leinster switched to Adidas in 2018, Canada switched to Macron after barely a year with CCC, while the biggest and most high-profile setback came when England opted to switch to Umbro after eight years.
Ireland fans, what do you think of another four years of Canterbury kit? Let us know in the comments below.
Rugby Shirt Watch 
Im finding the canterbury gear to be getting worse in recent years. Some of the designs they are used are naff and tacky too (see ospreys’ 2019/20 away and euro kits as a pefect example) and the current the criss cross collars are uncomfortable when worn. Rather frustrstingly canterbury seem to have “downed” thier sizes too – so a Large is now a 40/42 and an xl 42/44 as opposed to the age long use of a large being 42/44 and an xl being a 44/46. The Lions 2017 kits started this trend with stupidly short and tight sleeves and it has just been downhill since then in terms of sizing. How can a 2005 LARGE canterbury supporters shirt still fit me with ease, yet a 2020 xl supporters shirt is tight on me i do not know.
Prices are another factor with vx3 and macron undercutting them while providing more bespoke kits (although quality is not always as good and sizes are just as bad!!). We had a fan survey in the ospreys region about comnetcial matters and i said keep canterbury but drop the price to 50 from 65. They are still the best out there at the momemt, but not near as good as they used to be.
Sadly the alternatives are even worse!!!
its good , The IRFU have renewed their contract with Canterbury for four years, keeping Irish teams in Canterbury kits until 2024