The Welsh Rugby Union today revealed its home, and alternate, 2023 Rugby World Cup kit for the senior men’s squad heading to France this October.
Inspired by the Welsh national anthem, ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’, which features on the shirts themselves, the reveal event took place at the Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd, in front of the Evan James and James James statue, the Welsh father and son duo and composers of the anthem.
Tomos Williams, Wales senior men’s international, says: “It’s been great to come here to Pontypridd today to launch the kit given the link to Evan and James James. It was really nice seeing all the local school children welcome us out and there was some great singing of the national anthem!”
Hundreds of children from schools in the surrounding area were invited to take part in the launch and sing the anthem as Wales’ stars Josh Adams, Gareth Davies, Rio Dyer, Taulupe Faletau and Tomos Williams visited the park pavilion in the new home and alternate kits.
Designed and manufactured by Macron, the WRU’s Technical Partner since 2021, the main body of the home jersey is the traditional ‘Wales’ red, featuring dark red accents along the side of the jersey and the sleeves. As a respected nod to the classic rugby jerseys of yesteryear, the new Rugby World Cup 2023 version features a contrasting white polo shirt collar and white trim around the bottom of the dark red sleeves.
Two defining features are phrases taken from the Welsh National Anthem ‘PLEIDIOL WYF I’M GWLAD’, which translates to ‘I am faithful to my country’, and “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” which are embossed under the collar and at the back, bottom panel of the jersey as a declaration of pride not only for the country, the language and culture of Wales but our family of rugby supporters around the world.
WRU Interim CEO Nigel Walker, says, “We’re delighted to be here today at the Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, to launch our Senior Men’s Rugby World Cup 2023 kit.
“As the birth place of the composers of the Welsh National Anthem this is a special place for a Welsh rugby. The anthem has become a defining moment on any Welsh matchday for players and supporters alike. It evokes such pride and passion, we’ve lifted those very words and phrases and emblazed them onto the home kit for 2023. It’s a rallying cry to supporters across the country to get behind team Wales ahead of the Rugby World Cup later this year.
“We’re thrilled with both designs, including the black and yellow alternative kit, which is the first time we’ve had an all-black kit since 2011 and the nod to St David’s cross embossed on the front of the jersey. We’re looking forward to fans seeing the kit in action at the World Cup against Portugal.”
The alternate kit, which will be worn by Wales in the second Rugby World Cup pool match against Portugal is a twist on the classic style for Wales, but offers that same nod to tradition and heritage. The jersey is a bold black and yellow, paying homage to the flag of Saint David, the patron Saint of Wales. The main body of the shirt is black, with the polo collar and bottom of the sleeves trimmed in yellow. The front of the jersey contains the Rugby World Cup France 2023 logos along with the Macron Hero logo and the Welsh Rugby Union emblem on the chest which are also accented with yellow embroidery. The front of the jersey also features a unique, stylised version of the St David’s cross which is embossed onto the front panel.
The jerseys are made from Macron’s unique Eco Fabric, a polyester material derived entirely from recycled plastic, demonstrating our joint commitment to respecting and protecting the environment.
Both the home and alternate jerseys are Body Fit garments made from Eco-Armevo with Eco-Boditexinserts – two materials that guarantee maximum strength as well as lightness and great breathability.
The new home and alternative jerseys, along with replica versions are available to purchase now from £68 youth and £78 adult from the WRU Shop on Westgate Street, Cardiff or online here.
