1st April 2008
England Rugby, Pretty in Pink

Having seemingly put the possible management reshuffle on hold, it has been announced that England are to go down the path of Top 14 French giants Stade Francais and Toulouse, as well as the All Blacks with a new pink change rugby shirt. Players were asked recently how they felt and they gave a resounding thumbs up to the idea, even considering how popular last year's red strip was amongst fans around the world.

Given the success of 2006-07 Top 14 champions Stade Francais, the New Zealand All Blacks took note and last year entered the rugby arena with their very own pink kit. The RFU swiftly spent the next eighteen months planning and organising their own version, seen in the photo above, modelled by backrow forward James Haskell.

Christophe Dominici in action against Harlequins in the Heineken Cup this year.

The New Zealand version, modelled here by Richie McCaw and Reuben Thorne were worn by the All Blacks squad during their northern hemisphere tour last year.

"NZ in pink would still be All Blacks": Former French Skipper Raphael Ibanez

The England shirts will be released and available to buy in four months, in time for the elite team's new managerial announcement.