England Rugby Launch New Kit As First Castore Men’s Home Shirt Revealed With Nod To World Cup Win

British manufacturer Castore has paid homage to the 2003 Rugby World Cup victory with the brand’s first England Rugby kit launch.

In April, Castore was confirmed as the new England rugby kit supplier for all England teams in a “long-term” deal.

The multi-year contract will see Castore manufacture playing, training and casual wear for players and staff throughout the England set-up.

Having spent the last five years wearing Umbro kit, there has been much anticipation over the new-look England shirts.

But the wait is now over, with England posting images of the new kit, which bears a striking resemblance to the iconic shirts worn at the 2003 World Cup.

Castore Pays Tribute To World Cup Win With England Rugby Kit Launch

Unsurprisingly, Castore have stuck to tradition with their first England jersey.

The classic white features a subtle geometric pattern, adding some texture to the visuals.

In with the new 🔥

Introducing our @CastoreEngland men’s home kit for the 2025/26 season!

Click below to get yours now with free shipping from the England Store 👇#BetterNeverStops

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 21, 2025

But fans of a certain age will notice a striking resemblance to one of England’s most famous ever kits.

With flashes of red ing under the arms and around the collar, the new Castore kit is very similar to the design worn by England at the 2003 World Cup.

It was that kit in which Jonny Wilkinson famously kicked a last-minute drop goal in extra time to beat hosts and reigning world champions Australia to the nation’s only title to date.

England’s latest crop of players will no doubt be hoping to emulate the heroes of 2003 when the World Cup returns to Australia in 2027.

But the first outing for the new Castore kit will be this summer’s tour to Argentina.

Head coach Steve Borthwick is expected to name a youthful squad, with 13 senior players called up to the British and Irish Lions squad announced recently.

Who Makes England Rugby Kit?

British sportswear brand Castore is a relatively new manufacturer compared to the likes of Nike, Adidas Umbro.

Based in Manchester, it was founded in 2015 by brothers Philip and Thomas Beahon.

The pair both played high-level sport, but swapped wearing kit for making it, and have built a huge brand over the last decade.

With partnerships in rugby, football, formula one and tennis, Castore has become a globally recognised manufacturer.

But it hasn’t all been plain sailing. In 2023, there were widely reported issues with Premier League football side Aston Villa’s Castore match kit.

The women’s team in particular complained of the shirts’ poor breathability and moisture-wicking properties.

This led to shirts becoming wet, heavy and clinging tight to the body, causing both can unflattering look and harming performance.

But Castore has since made improvements to its designs, and continues to supply numerous elite-level teams.

Notable teams supplied by Castore include Mclaren F1, Newcastle United, Rangers and the England Cricket team.

Are England Rugby Kit Prices Too Much For Some Fans?

The reveal of a brand new kit is exciting for fans of any team. But rising living costs mean affording the new shirt at full price is not always possible.

England’s Castore men’s home shirt costs £85 for the standard replica version. Even the standard junior shirt comes in at £65.

And the top-end “pro” jersey – made to the same specifications as those worn by the players – is an eye-watering £120 for adults and £100 for juniors.

There is also a long-sleeved, classic-look jersey for those wanting more of a vintage appearance. But even this is also £85 for an adult version.

Comparatively, the 2024-25 adult “pro” jersey is currently reduced to £58.50.