Ireland launched their new World Cup jerseys in Galway, today, and they did a mighty fine job of it.
The new, Canterbury-designed Ireland jersey is a simple, clean offering.
The green is a vibrant shade with thin white trimming. The World Cup emblem will sit upon the players' right breast and the designer logo lies beneath the circular collar.
This will be the 10th World Cup jersey worn by Ireland at rugby's greatest tournament. It is only right and proper, then, to rank the jerseys from top to bottom, starting with...
IRELAND JERSEY RANKINGS
10th: 1995
The biggest arm-pitted jersey of all time. Bland, dogged effort that reflected the team. Got to a quarter-final before France sent them home.
[caption id="attachment_290184" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Simon Geoghegan of Ireland. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)[/caption]
9th: 1999
This is in keeping with the rugby fashion of the time but it is fairly uninspired. Warren Gatland's side were dumped out in a quarter-final playoff against Argentina.
[caption id="attachment_290187" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Eric Elwood of Ireland points the way during the 1999 Rugby World Cup. (Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport)[/caption]
8th: 1991
Humongous collars on a clean, old-school design. Pretty big crest too. So, so close to a semi-final. Damn you Michael Lynagh!
[caption id="attachment_290185" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]Gary Armstrong (centre) of Scotland is tackled by Jim Staples (left) and David Curtis (right) of Ireland during the 1991 Rugby World Cup. (Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport)[/caption]
7th: 1987
The simpler collar is just about the only thing that marks it out from its younger brother. Solid. Donal Lenihan captained this side to the last eight but Wales ended their dreams.
6th: 2015
Canterbury are playing it safe for the World Cup and have produced a stripped-down jersey. There is little to spark the imagination - save the low, dipping collar - but it should prove very popular.
5th: 2023
The latest offering. We prefer the away number.
4th: 2011
Simple, classy, elegant, green. Need we say more?
3rd: 2019
[caption id="attachment_276150" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Ireland players, from left, Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray, at the Tokyo Stadium in Chofu, Japan, in 2019. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
2nd: 2007
This marked the fully fledged entrance into the world of strength & conditioning, and unforgiving jerseys. A brave effort from Canterbury was not rewarded with on-field performances. Pool stage elimination.
[caption id="attachment_206487" align="aligncenter" width="1710"]Jerry Flannery, Ireland, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. (Credit; Oliver McVeigh/SPORTSFILE)[/caption]
1st: 2003
[caption id="attachment_290182" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]Shane Horgan of Ireland in action during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)[/caption]
Where do the jerseys rank for you? Let us know on our social media channels.
*Updated from piece first posted in July 2015
Simon Geoghegan of Ireland. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)[/caption]
Eric Elwood of Ireland points the way during the 1999 Rugby World Cup. (Credit: Ben Radford /Allsport)[/caption]
Gary Armstrong (centre) of Scotland is tackled by Jim Staples (left) and David Curtis (right) of Ireland during the 1991 Rugby World Cup. (Credit: Simon Bruty/Allsport)[/caption]
Ireland players, from left, Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray, at the Tokyo Stadium in Chofu, Japan, in 2019. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
Jerry Flannery, Ireland, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. (Credit; Oliver McVeigh/SPORTSFILE)[/caption]
Shane Horgan of Ireland in action during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)[/caption]
Where do the jerseys rank for you? Let us know on our social media channels.
*Updated from piece first posted in July 2015
