Canterbury of New Zealand has been announced as the new kit supplier to the Irish Rugby Football Union. The deal is reported to be worth €20 million and will run until 2020, taking in two Rugby World Cups and bringing it to the brink of a potential Irish hosted tournament in 2023.
Canterbury previously held the deal to supply the Irish shirts but were replaced by Puma in 2009 after a spell of nine years. Their relationship coincided with the most successful period in Irish rugby history with the shirt being one through four triple crowns and the third ever Grand Slam achieved in 2009.
The new kit will be launched in the Autumn and worn for the first time in the first of the Guinness Autumn Internationals when South Africa some to the Aviva Stadium.
The lead time through to then includes the duration of the RBS 6 Nations tournament when sales of the existing jersey would be likely to have been impacted anyway, unless of course the team were to produce magic on the pitch and win another Grand Slam.
Since its establishment in 1904 Canterbury has expanded to become the world’s largest rugby apparel brand and is the official kit of six rugby nations including England, Russia, Spain, Japan, USA and now Ireland.
Canterbury will work closely with the IRFU management and international players to produce match day, training and bench wear for the national squad as well as all junior and underage teams including the O2 Irish Wolfhounds, Under 20’s and Women’s national side. It already supplied Leinster Rugby with its kit and will look to extend its reach to schools and clubs across Ireland on the back of the new deal.
Official Canterbury IRFU merchandise will be sold through all major sports retailers and online from autumn 2014.
“In the IRFU we have found a partner with shared values, a shared heritage and a shared focus and ambition to succeed at the pinnacle of our disciplines,” said Canterbury CEO Chris Stephenson.
“These mutual traits were paramount in our decision to join forces and share in what we believe will be a truly exciting journey for Irish Rugby, most particularly the supporters, and Canterbury through the next two Rugby World Cups.”
“I’m delighted to have Canterbury partnering with Ireland in our upcoming World Cup cycle,” added Ireland team manager Joe Schmidt.
“I’ve worked with Canterbury in the past and have always been impressed by the quality and innovation they bring to the table.“
“Having the backing of the world’s top rugby apparel brand is testament to the strength of the Irish Rugby brand and reflects positively on the progressive steps being taken to ensure that we cement our position at the top of world rugby,” said IRFU President Pat Fitzgerald.
The announcement of the deal came on the same day as Puma announced a deal with Arsenal football club in the English Premier League which is reported to be worth almost €200 Million. A focus on athletics and soccer was the reason why Puma chose to end the deal with Ireland last year and pay a contract break fee to the IRFU.
