The upcoming Six Nations rugby match between France and England, dubbed Le Crunch, is set to be a spectacle, but not for the reasons one might hope. The highly anticipated clash at the iconic Stade de France will be marred by a rather unfortunate jersey color clash, thanks to a special anniversary kit from the French Rugby Federation and adidas.
The kit in question is a nod to the past, drawing inspiration from the original light blue jersey worn by the French team in 1906 for their first fixture against England. It features the 1927 FFR logo, symbolizing the year of France's first victory against England, and the 'Tricolore' stripes, a tribute to the French rugby kits of the late 1980s and 1990s when adidas was the kit supplier.
However, the issue arises when considering the color clash. The pale blue of the celebratory kit stands in stark contrast to the traditional blue and white colors worn by both teams during Le Crunch. While this could be easily resolved by England donning their alternative darker kit, they have chosen to wear their traditional white, which will undoubtedly cause frustration among supporters.
This isn't the first time kit clashes have caused controversy. World Rugby introduced a policy in 2025 to restrict certain kit color combinations on the pitch, aiming to improve visibility for players with color blindness. The Six Nations, however, has opted to adopt this policy in 2024, leading to away teams like Ireland and Wales donning alternate kits.
The impact of this policy is significant, especially considering the prevalence of color vision deficiency, which affects around 8% of males. The introduction of such measures highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in sports, ensuring that all fans can enjoy the game without any visual barriers.
In my opinion, the French Rugby Federation and adidas could have chosen a different color scheme for the anniversary kit to avoid this potential issue. While the kit celebrates a historic rivalry, the color clash may detract from the overall experience, leaving fans with a less-than-ideal viewing experience on Super Saturday.
