England 'replacing Umbro' for New Kit Deal – Fans Fuming
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The RFU is reportedly set to part ways with Umbro, with Castore emerging as the frontrunner to take over England Rugby's kit supply rights, according to SportBusiness.
Big ambitions, big losses
Despite posting a hefty £28.9m loss for the year ending February 2024, Castore has bounced back by securing £145m in investments, propelling its valuation to nearly £1bn.
The brand isn't a stranger to rugby, already kitting out elite sides like Harlequins and Saracens. But their quality hasn't always scored points, with Leinster fans the most recently left unimpressed.
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Umbro deal in jeopardy
This news comes as a surprise, considering Umbro signed a deal extension in 2021 to provide kits for England's men's, women's, sevens, and youth teams until 2028. Yet sources have suggested to SportBusiness a new supplier announcement is imminent, signaling a potential change in the works.
Castore's clever play
Castore's connection to Umbro goes deeper than expected. Earlier this year, the brand struck a deal with GL Dameck, the exclusive sub-licence holder for Umbro Professional Team Sports across multiple countries, including the UK.
This arrangement already allows Castore to market and supply Umbro-branded RFU kits. However, for their own branding to appear on England shirts, they'd need to officially replace—or 'novate'—Umbro's existing deal.
Could we soon see England donning Castore kits? The stage is set, and all eyes are on the RFU for the final call.
Fans poll:
Jonny Wilkinson didn't hesitate when naming his toughest opponent
England legend Jonny Wilkinson went head-to-head with some of the greatest rugby players of all time, but who did he find the toughest to play against?
The 2003 World Cup hero, who earned 97 caps for England and the British & Irish Lions between 1998 and 2011, has revealed the five players he most “hated” facing during his career.
#5.Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)
Lomu’s one of a kind and the impression he left on so many lives while playing for the All Blacks was vividly illustrated by the reaction to his death in November 2015.
WILKINSON SAID: “One of the most recognisable characters in World Rugby and a man who sparked fear in the eyes of opposition defences. The guy is quite a remarkable rugby legend and deserves to be so. No list would be complete without him."
DID YOU KNOW? Lomu scored seven tries during the 1995 World Cup and added a further eight in 1999
#4.Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland)
Holds the Six Nations record for most tries with 26 and was chosen Player of the Tournament in the 2006, 2007 and 2009, leading Ireland to one Grand Slam and three Triple Crowns. Europe's finest.
WILKINSON SAID: "The ability to change the game in a second, a heartbeat, with his movement, with his skill, his game reading but also his leadership."
DID YOU KNOW? O'Driscoll is the all-time Irish try scorer and has led his country more times than any other player
#3.Bakkies Botha (South Africa)
WILKINSON SAID:"Someone incredibly fierce but very very down to earth" and "at times he's exactly what a team needs," according to Wilkinson.
DID YOU KNOW? Botha is regularly listed in ‘greatest ever’ sides and coach Bernard Laporte said he was the greatest player he ever coached
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