Jonathan Davies and Ross Moriarty were joined ‘virtually’ by Wales Women captain Siwan Lillicrap and Gwen Crabb to reveal the kit against a backdrop of jerseys from the community game in Wales which have also been produced by the WRU’s new official technical partner.
The launch of the new kit has taken on a post-Covid feel with both squads currently training in respective ‘bubbles’ and so the community aspect of the partnership – £1m of free kit to be supplied yearly to Welsh rugby clubs over six years – has been reflected by a display of existing Macron community rugby shirts.
The new, bespoke, custom-made ‘home’ jersey from Macron is a deep traditional Welsh red.
It has a classic white v-neck collar tipped with green trim, with the same detailing to be found on the sleeve.
A set of unique features sees the red dragon of the Welsh flag embossed across lower back of the shirt, an embossed pattern covering the sleeves – cleverly transforming the hexagonal shape of the WRU three-feathers logo into ‘dragon scales’ – and the Welsh word ANRHYDEDD (honour), also embossed, on the back of the collar.
The shorts are white with lateral red bands and red drawstring with green tips to further represent the colours of the national flag.
The socks are red with an upper white band interrupted by a thin green horizontal line.
The ‘away‘ version is a black jersey with a white v-neck collar, this time tipped with red trim that is also found on the sleeves and cuffs.
Both sleeves again feature an all over embossed pattern, but this time a geometric graphic brings a new age look to the garment.
The Welsh dragon is once again embossed on the lower back and another Welsh word, ANGERDD (passion) is embossed on the back of the collar.
The shorts are white shorts with a black lateral band, black drawstrings and red tips, with black socks featuing an upper white band with a thin red line to complete the kit.
“The new kit is striking representation of Welsh rugby tradition and we are delighted to be able to launch our new seven-year partnership with Macron in such a spectacular way,” said WRU CEO Steve Phillips.
“Macron have a tried and tested rugby pedigree, the first rugby kit they produced worldwide was for Neath RFC in 2008 and now they not only supply clubs throughout Wales, including two of our regional sides but also a quarter of sides in the PRO14.
“With the addition of the Welsh international sides to their rugby stable they now supply half of the teams in the Six Nations and also have a strong foothold in the English Premiership.
“We are delighted with the bespoke kit, training and leisurewear Macron has provided so far, where Italian design meets Welsh passion with impressive results.
“And we are sure that the Welsh rugby watching public will be equally impressed when they get their hands on their favourite pieces in the expansive product range available.”
The new Wales jerseys, both ‘home’ and ‘away’, are available exclusively from the WRU both online (store.wru.co.uk) and at its flagship store in Cardiff now, where prices match or beat all Guinness Six Nations competitors in like for like categories, with the replica top priced at £70 and the bespoke, authentic playing jersey retailing at £96.
Macron recently agreed a seven-year partnership with the WRU to add national and age-group sides to a Welsh rugby stable which already includes the Scarlets and Cardiff Blues, plus over 50 clubs from the community game, including the likes of Merthyr, Bedwas and Llandaff.
The deal has also seen Macron take over the WRU’s merchandising operation – just as it has done for the Blues and Scarlets – running its vibrant online shop and flagship store at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
Wales Women will wear the kit in action for the first time against Scotland in their own postponed Six Nations clash on 1 November and, from next season, Macron’s affinity with Welsh rugby will increase even further when the first instalment of £6m worth of kit over six years, is supplied to the clubs in the community game throughout Wales.
“The Welsh Rugby Union represents one of the pillar stones of world rugby and for Macron to stand side by side with this sporting giant, means that we as a brand, have reached yet another great milestone,” said Macron‘s CEO Gianluca Pavanello.
“The unrivalled passion surrounding the Welsh national team was an ever present stimulus that pushed our design team to create something unique, technically advanced and fashionable and they were only able to do this by working hand in hand with the WRU.
“Our goal is for the new kits to be instantly recognisable and something that clearly express the Welsh identity and spirit. We hope that our hard work has paid off and that the new collection will be loved by players and fans alike and that the kits evoke the emotion that such a great nation deserves.”
Both shirts have an athlete’s body-fit cut with the main fabric being in Armevo which is a material that guarantees maximum comfort and durability on the field while Bodytext inserts ensure perfect breathability and range of movement.
For supporters, Macron has created a replica version that comes both in cotton and polyester, with a more versatile supporters fit which is available across male and female and junior sizing.
“Working with Welsh rugby has been not only an honour but a true pleasure,” added Macron’s Sr Sports Marketing Manager Ross Cook.
“From initial contract conversations that began years ago, to then have rubbed shoulders with some of world rugby’s finest at the photo and video shoot, to finally seeing the final product realised and created after so many people from Macron and the WRU have poured their hearts into it, is a special moment.
“I thank all who have contributed to making this such a great collection and I hope that all the hard work inspires and ignites passion in players and fans alike in the up and coming internationals.”
The new ‘home’ and ‘away’ kits, as well as the full collection Macron has created for the Welsh National team, will have the distinguishing icon of the brand which is the Macron Hero.
The logo represents the human body and takes inspiration from the tip of a spear which by definition is a statement of dynamism and speed.
The Macron Hero symbolizes the joy at the end of the challenge, the achievement of reaching your goal with effort, passion and determination. The Macron philosophy: “Work hard. Play harder.”
