Across The Gain Line . . . with Colm Kinsella

YOU would know it is still a relatively quiet time of the year for rugby supporters when discussion boards on internet sites are dominated by talk of Munster’s new playing kit.
While the vast majority of supporters seem well satisfied with the design of the new Munster jersey, opinion is divided on the team’s new look, bright red shorts.
One player when asked his opinion on the bright red shorts recently said they would go well with Donncha O’Callaghan’s choice of underpants.
In 2007, you may remember, O’Callaghan attempted to join a line-out sporting a pair of bright red underpants after his shorts were ripped off in a ruck during Munster’s Heineken Cup pool match away to the Cardiff Blues! The match referee was having none of it.
Given the red colour of the jersey as well, some Munster supporters have compared the look to that of the Liverpool soccer team, but how would any Munster fans who dislike the new red shorts feel if the province did a Stade Francais on it and introduced pink playing gear.
In 2005, Stade Francais President, Max Guazzini introduced the colour pink to the macho world of rugby.
Since then, the team plays in pink jerseys (except for one of the first matches against Toulouse when the referee refused on the grounds that the colour would clash with Toulouse’s red!). In 2006-07, two club jerseys were designed by Kenzo - a ‘traditional’ pink version and a new blue version with pink lilies and green numbers on the back. Stade Francais have sold up to 20,000 replica shirts in a season as a result of the new colours.
In an on-line poll on the popular munsterfans.com website, Munster supporters were asked to give their opinion on the new shorts. In a poll of 100 fans, some 65% of respondents said they disliked the new red shorts and favoured the return of last season’s design which was navy in colour and included the three-stripes of kit manufacturer adidas down the side.
Some 20% of participants in the poll said they would prefer if the shorts were white in colour, while just 10% expressed their approval of the new shorts. The remainder of respondents in the poll were indifferent to the new kit
More than a few Munster fans have pointed out that the colour will hardly be an issue when the shorts are covered in mud and dirt during the playing season.
The new Munster rugby shirt has a number of distinctive and specific features that manufacturers believe tap into the tradition and heritage of Munster Rugby.
The words ‘wear with pride and honesty’ feature on the inside of the collar, while the six counties of Munster– Limerick, Clare, Cork, Tipperary, Kerry and Waterford- are imprinted along the bottom end of the jersey, symbolising the unity within the province.
The antlers from the Munster Rugby logo are embossed across the chest of the jersey.
The team will wear the kit for the first time in their pre-season friendly against Sale, at Musgrave Park on this Friday night.
The technical details of the new Munster jersey make for interesting reading for the ‘man in the street.’
According to the press release which revealed details of the jersey launch, the new Munster kit has been designed 3-dimensionally.
This means that the various elements of the kit are pre-shaped to fit and move with the body even during the most strenuous games. The shirt is specifically constructed to be most comfortable for a player when he is in position to catch, make a pass or go into a tackle.
The sleeves are also a little bit longer and shaped so that they work with the arms of a player as opposed to cutting across the bicep causing restriction
The jersey features ClimaCool, engineered mesh in critical heat zones that allows heat and sweat to escape while bringing cooling air into contact with the skin. All seams are sewn flat to reduce irritation while running.
So now you know.
The new kit goes on sale on August 27, 2009. It will be available in both tight player replica shirts (limited retailers) and supporter shirts in sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL. Children’s and baby kit will also be available.
The recommended retail price of the jersey is €65.