Here at Fantasy Rugby Geek, we. love. stash. We know we’re not the only ones, and we’re in good company along with the good stash-loving folks at The Eggchasers Rugby Podcast and Rugby Shirt Watch as we can’t help but analyse, scrutinise and spend an inordinate amount of cash any new rugby shirt that takes our fancy.
So without further ado, it’s time for our annual review of the winners and losers in the world of stash in Premiership Rugby…
Bath
In a nutshell: The home strip provides a good nod to tradition with some nice modern touches. It features the traditional blue, black and white hoops across the chest, with solid blue below and a round, white collar. The away kit, which is mainly white but not quite as minimal as last year, mirrors the home kit with hoops across the chest and matching white shorts.
Where you can get it: Bath’s kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Bristol Bears
In a nutshell: Marking the branding transition from Bristol Rugby to Bristol Bears, the new kits are a considerable transition, although with nods to history with the traditional colours kept. Produced by Bristol Sport, the new kits have a clean and fresh design, both using hooped sleeves and a rounded collar, with the home shirt deploying a navy to red hatching on the body and the away having a simple white and black design. At FRG we’re fans of these.
Where you can get it: Bristol Bears’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Exeter Chiefs
In a nutshell: Exeter have reused their home kit from last season, a minimal black effort. The away shirt again is minimal and has some subtle changes from last season but again is plain white with light blue detailing. As in previous years, they have had more artistic licence with the third/cup kit, which is a light blue shirt with Native American imagery as a motif (still going down the Native American route it seems despite growing criticism).
Where you can get it: Exeter Chiefs’ kits are available (for a lot of money!) on the Official Exeter Chiefs club shop.
Gloucester
In a nutshell: New logo, familiar kit. Another XBlades creation, and quite busy with all the sponsors they have to fit in. A classic-looking (harking back to the early 2000’s Glaws kits), if unspectacular, Gloucester kit.
Where you can get it: Gloucesters’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Harlequins
In a nutshell: Adidas have had some hits (the 15oth anniversary shirt) and some misses (last season’s Home) since they were appointed as Harlequins’ kit supplier 5 years ago. This year’s home shirt is fairly middle of the road, not a bad effort considering that they have limited artistic license with one of the most iconic shirt designs in the game. The away shirt is a horror, definitely one to forget for Quins!
Where you can get it: Harlequins’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Leicester Tigers
In a nutshell: A classic looking Tigers kit. Bold red and white hoops on a green shirt (sans collar), with a subtle tiger motif. Much to like on this Kukri design. The Away shirt takes on last year’s theme of a white shirt with thin hoops, but this year uses purple hoops. All round very good work from Kukri.
Where you can get it: Leicester Tigers’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Newcastle Falcons
In a nutshell: Newcastle have kept things very simple this season. Resisting the urge to follow up on the success of the charity Newcastle United style shirt from last season, they’ve gone with a similar look to last season’s home shirt. A black shirt with thin white hoops, nothing controversial but nothing special either (not sure why they have two Hitachi sponsors???). The away kit is an identical design just switching black with green.
Where you can get it: Newcastle Falcons’ kits are currently available in the Newcastle Falcons club store.
Northampton Saints
In a nutshell: A low-key and predominantly black shirt with the famous green and yellow hoops being deployed on the bottom half of the shirt. A nice effort from Macron, just don’t mention the sponsor bar.
Where you can get it: Northampton Saints’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Sale Sharks
In a nutshell: Sale have gone back to basics this year. For the home shirt a simple uncollared navy shirt with white sleeve fringes, with the only bit of creative flare being a shark motif at the bottom of the waist. The away kit is an identical design just switching navy with red. In this case, less is more, a classic Sale kit.
Where you can get it: Sale Sharks’ kits are currently available on Lovell Rugby.
Saracens
In a nutshell: After two years with BLK, Sarries have returned to Nike and the new kit is pleasingly minimal. A plain black shirt with hints of grey, this is a bold no-nonsense affair and that is no bad thing. A great looking shirt.
Where you can get it: Saracens’ kits are currently only available for an eye-watering amount of money on the official Saracens club shop
Wasps
In a nutshell: A popular return back to the famous black and yellow hoops of Wasps. One of the best Under Armour shirts of recent years. Bold and uncluttered.
Where you can get it: Wasps’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
Worcester Warriors
In a nutshell: Worcester’s VX3 created kits this season are a fairly solid offering. The Home Shirt is the classic gold and blue with thin gold hoops and is a perfectly pleasant effort without much else to say. They’ve gone all out day-glo with the away shirt, and the full on Cyan shirt with Warrior motif is probably a bit much for some of the purists. The Worcester hardcore will be happier with the third kit which returns to the traditional Worcester change kit of white with gold and blue hoops.
Where you can get it: Worcester Warriors’ kits are widely available in the usual places including here at Lovell Rugby
So there you go, it certainly won’t help your fantasy team, and we won’t take it personally if you completely disagree with our assessment, but that is the Fantasy Rugby Geek’s stash review of the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership season!
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