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          Rugby World Cup 2023: Rating the jerseys on show in France

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          • ESPN
          Jul 13, 2023, 07:30 PM

          As the countdown to kick off of the 2023 Rugby World Cup ticks down every nation is beginning to unveil their much-anticipated match day strips.

          While many nations make sure to retain a similar jersey style every tournament there are always small or sometimes big detail changes that have fans either determined to get their hands on a replica or bemoaning the changes.

          A reminder that sponsors cannot feature on the front of jerseys while countries are only permitted to have one crest or coat of arms on the front.

          Any team that has won a Rugby World Cup will also have a symbol of the Webb Ellis Cup on the sleeve with the year of victory.

          Read ahead for all the national jerseys as they drop and their ratings.

          POOL A

          New Zealand: D-

          You'd think the All Blacks jersey is simple enough to design, there's not much you can do wrong with a black shirt and a collar. But this year's jersey has been labelled the "ugliest" All Blacks jersey ever by many fans after adidas partnered with French designer Fey the Wolf to create a unique take on the famous New Zealand silver fern - and it has not gone down well with fans.

          Sublimating the fern onto the jersey, the design is repeated across the chest and back and has been polarizing for fans since it's unveiling with some calling it "childish" while others have made comparisons with Hawaiian shirts.

          Meanwhile the collar has made its return after it was absent in 2019, this time in black, and the white alternative strip - which could make its appearance in the opening game of the tournament - has also returned.

          France: B

          The first nation to unveil their World Cup strip, France have stuck with the classic all over blue with trimming on the sleeves and collar, but it's a deeper blue shade than what we've seen of late. According to the FFR the darker shade is meant to reflect the France flag, opposed to the lighter shade that was used through the Autumn Nations series last year and the Six Nations earlier this year. The players will also don white shorts and red socks. They also unveiled a white alternate jersey with blue trimming.

          Keeping it simple, France haven't attempted to reinvent the wheel with their strip, but it seems there's been little imagination involved either. The lighter trimming adds some pop to the jersey, but it remains uninspiring.

          Italy: A-

          They will likely need a miracle to reach the quarterfinals for the first time, but Italy may well emerge as world rugby kit champions after dropping their two jumpers for the tournament. Designers Macron said the jersey "conveys all the pride and identity of a nation." The strip features stylised laurel wreaths on its front, while the bottom rear of the jersey features a stylised image of the Capitoline Wolf.

          Uruguay: D-

          Unfortunately for Uruguay and their fans, we will only be treated to their beautiful turquoise blue jersey once through the pool stages against New Zealand. Instead, it will be their sun-inspired yellow jersey that will be worn for three of their four pool matches against France, Italy and Namibia.

          Taking inspiration from the sun that features on their national flag, the Los Teros kit is bright. And I mean BRIGHT. There's no way you'll be confused while watching this side on the pitch. They've also sublimated the sun symbol from their flag onto the chest of their jersey.

          While their usual blue strip is beautiful, their orange alternate strip leaves a lot to be desired and unfortunately pulls their ratings all the way down.

          Namibia: B

          Namibia have unveiled their impressive World Cup kits as they stick with their traditional blue home jersey and white alternate strip. While the blue kit features a red pattern across the shoulders, the alternate a blue and black patterned paneling down the sides, which they say "displays boldness, Namibian flair and pride". Although the kits don't try to break any rules or try to be too different it's still a nice jersey that will have their fans clambering to buy a replica.

          POOL B

          South Africa: A-

          Current World Champions the Springboks have released their World Cup strip to plenty of praise from fans with many loving the main strip while there's mixed reaction to the alternate jersey which many have compared to a training shirt.

          Retaining the classic green and yellow colour scheme with yellow collar and sleeve lining, with an added touch of the South African national flag lining the underside of the collar and inside the jersey. The alternate strip meanwhile has taken on a blue and white graphic design that makes it look less like a playing jersey and more of a training shirt.

          The first strip created by Nike after taking over from Asics, both jerseys look sharp and will have plenty of fans.

          Ireland: F

          Another jersey that you wouldn't think would be hard to get right, but Ireland have found a way to earn derision from many of their fans after they unveiled a light, wishy-washy, mint green jersey ahead of the World Cup.

          Usually sporting a deep, emerald green playing strip, Ireland have instead gone a much paler colour much to the disappointment of their fans. But at least their white alternate strip has received thumbs-up after their 2019 version was lambasted by their fan base.

          Like many jerseys at the tournament, Ireland's kit is made with 100 percent recycled polyester as brands continue to find ways to become more environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, it won't win over their fans who have rated the jersey a massive thumbs down with one fan going as far as to claim the jersey had "ruined their week".

          Scotland B+

          Unveiling their simple but sleek jerseys, Scotland have stuck with their usual heritage dark blue main strip and have retained their tartan pattern in the side paneling with a tri colour trim on the sleeves. Meanwhile, like many other nations, Scotland will also feature a white alternate strip with a tartan trim o the sleeves and collar.

          A hit with supporters the only questionable addition to the jersey is the choice of colour for the saltire, otherwise known as the St Andrew's Cross or Scotland national flag. Usually a navy blue, the rendition on the sleeve is both a brighter blue and navy scheme.

          A massive plus for the jersey is the sustainability aspect. Made from Eco Fabric, the jersey is derived from recycled plastic, with around 13 recycled half-litre bottles used to make every shirt.

          Tonga: A

          Tonga have officially unveiled their flash red World Cup jersey featuring the kupesi tokelaufeletoa traditional design within the fabric. Keeping to tradition the red main strip features white paneling on the side, with white edging on the sleeves and cuff, while the alternate strip is reportedly all white.

          A beautiful tribute to Tonga's 'angafakatonga' (the Tongan way) the Ikale Tahi will be hard to beat as one of the best jerseys of the tournament.

          Romania

          Still to be released

          POOL C

          Wales: B+

          One of the strongest main kits at the tournament, it's the alternate kit that sees Wales lose some marks. While the classic red main kit with white collar (the return of the colour received a big thumbs up from fans) and sleeve trimming, the yellow trimming on the black alternate jersey gives bumble bee vibes.

          Inspired by the national anthem, 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau', words from the anthem feature on the jerseys themselves under the collar and on the back bottom panel of the jerseys. The alternate kit is also a nod to tradition with a bold black colour with yellow trimming which is a homage tothe flag of Saint David, the patron Saint of Wales.

          Australia: A

          Featuring a permanent First Nations design on their primary strip for the first time for a World Cup, the Wallabies gold jersey and alternate white strip look schmick. Retaining a close to completely gold strip, the primary jersey features green collar and sleeve trimming while the number is also in green with the added First Nations print. Grip panels also feature across the chest.

          Meanwhile the white alternate strip features a green First Nations design on the paneling on the shoulder and down the sides with a grey emblem design across the chest.

          Again it's a simple design but with a few added embellishments it becomes one of the best at the upcoming tournament.

          Fiji: A+

          Without the best kit to feature at this year's tournament, Fiji have officially released their jerseys after a leak revealed two incredible kits including the traditional white and black main strip with a black and red alternate jersey.

          Keeping the main strip clean and simple, the main body of the jersey is an uninterrupted white with black patterned side paneling, a black collar and black trim on the sleeve. But it's the alternate kit that has brought the fire to the tournament. Mainly black, the jersey has a bold red leaf pattern across the front and back while they'll also sport red shorts and black socks with red trim. It'll take something special to over take this kit as the best at the tournament.

          Georgia

          Still to be released

          Portugal: A

          Making their first World Cup appearance since 2007, Portugal are coming in hot with a slick red patch main strip and a white alternate jersey. Making a connection with their flag, the red home kit features a red patchwork pattern of the four shields of their flag and green v-neck with green trimming on the sleeve, while the white strip has a knitted-neck in green and red stripe with the repeated shield pattern.

          There's not much to complain about with this design. The red is lustrous while the patchwork pattern adds a unique touch, making it one of the most exciting jerseys at the tournament.

          POOL D

          England: B+

          Another strong main kit, England's classic white jersey features no other colour with the red rose left to bring a pop of colour on the chest while grip panels on the chest bring some pattern to the stark white jersey.

          Meanwhile the alternate navy blue jersey doesn't live up the heights of the white kit with an interesting almost arrow design on the chest taking away from the look. Not bad, not great, England's jerseys are middle of the road for the tournament.

          Japan: B+

          Perhaps harsh not to receive an A, but with little no changes from their 2019 kit it feels like we've seen this jersey before. The usual red and white 'hoops' make their reappearance with a squarer panel across the chest instead of the usual hoop design, with a gold stripe going diagonally down the shirt also retained. They've also retained their blue alternate strip, this year however, not as dark as their 2019 kit.

          In a unique twist, the jerseys have been manufactured through chemical recycling with the new jerseys made from older jersey donated by Japan fans. We love the environmental element which pushes the jersey to a B+ rating.

          Argentina: C

          One of the best jerseys in world rugby, there's not much you can do to change up the Pumas strip with the classic blue and white hoops. Retaining the white button up collar, the Pumas primary jersey is schmick, but unfortunately the alternate kit does not live up to their flash standards.

          A navy kit with a white diagonal stripe that runs from the right shoulder down to the left hip, it looks more like a soccer referee kit than a rugby jersey, while the red collar and sleeve lining gives the jersey a pop of colour.

          Samoa: B +

          Simple and clean, Samoa's blue and white kits don't try to reinvent the wheel instead they stick to tradition retaining the completely blue main strip with the southern cross from their flag in white on their shoulder with a thick white trimming on the sleeve.

          Their alternate kit is just as simple, mostly white, two blue panels on the shoulder give the jersey a pop of colour.

          Chile: A

          Making their World Cup debut, Chile have unveiled a beautiful kit that pays homage to their national colours with a striking red main kit with blue side panels and trimming on the collar, while their white alternate kit is one of the best at the tournament with a blue and red streak of colour across the chest and shoulder.

          Their first World Cup jerseys, Chile won't be missing in action.