Reports that England to Ditch Umbro for New Kit Maker – Fans Won't Be Happy 

12/05/2024 07:16 AM

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.

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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 sublicence 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.

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Marcus Smith named the FIFTH most overrated player in the world

Many high-profile players continue to polarize opinions in the rugby world—one player might be considered overrated by some but highly regarded by others, leading to endless debates.

Here is the top 10 most overrated players in the world right now according to fans.

10 Most Overrated Players in Rugby Ranked

10. Ange Capuozzo (Italy) – The young Italian fullback has gained a lot of attention for his electrifying play and highlight-reel moments, but some critics feel that his defensive frailties and occasional lack of consistency make him less of an all-around threat than the hype suggests.

9. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand) – Barrett is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, but some believe his performances have been inconsistent, particularly at the Test level in recent years. They argue that while he excels in Super Rugby, his form for the All Blacks has fluctuated.

8. Maro Itoje (England) – While Itoje is seen as a world-class lock and one of England’s key players, there are critics who believe that his influence is sometimes overstated, especially when England is struggling as a team.

7. Sam Cane (New Zealand) – As captain of the All Blacks, Cane faces high expectations. Some fans feel his leadership and performances haven’t lived up to the level of his predecessors, like Richie McCaw, making him a target for criticism.

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6. Siya Kolisi (South Africa) – Including Kolisi on a list of overrated players can be controversial due to his significant achievements and leadership. However, some critics argue that Kolisi’s global prominence, particularly after leading South Africa to the 2019 Rugby World Cup victory, has overshadowed his on-field performances, which they claim are not always as impactful as his leadership role. Detractors might suggest that his leadership and symbolic importance sometimes eclipse his actual playing ability when compared to other top-tier flankers.

5. Marcus Smith (England) – A highly talented and creative fly-half, Marcus Smith has been heralded as the future of English rugby. However, some feel the hype around him has outpaced his actual impact on the international stage, particularly in tight, high-pressure matches, where consistency has been an issue.

4. Owen Farrell (England) – One of England's most polarising figures, Farrell's leadership and kicking ability are unquestionable, but his sometimes abrasive playing style, along with a lack of creativity in attack, has led some to question whether he's overhyped, especially when he was England's primary playmaker.

3. Finn Russell (Scotland) – Known for his flair and creativity, Russell is sometimes seen as overrated due to his high-risk, high-reward style of play. While he can produce magical moments, his inconsistency and decision-making under pressure are often questioned.

2. Faf de Klerk (South Africa) – Known for his high-energy style and defensive work, de Klerk is a polarising figure. While he's a key player for South Africa, critics argue that his decision-making, particularly in attack, and reliance on kicking can make him overrated compared to the top scrum-halves in the world.

1.Romain Ntamack (France) – Despite his brilliant displays for France, Ntamack has faced criticism for not always living up to the high expectations, especially when compared to other top international fly-halves. Some feel his performances lack consistency in critical moments.

NAME EVERY PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CLUB:

London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?

You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.

It's more difficult than it sounds.

Good luck, and let us know how you do

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