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Short sleeves optional to Batman-esque tech: The evolution of Irish Rugby World Cup jerseys

We’ve come a long way, baby!

1987

Here the ’87 kit as modelled by Donal Lenihan

No nonsense with this jumper.

Donal Lenihan 1987 INPHO INPHO

Trevor Ringland was counting up the marginal gains long before Clive Woodward with this customised little number

Years later, another Trevor, Giles would take all the credit for this leap forward in wearable tech.

Trevor Ringland 1987 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

1991

Simon Geoghegan would have scored a heap more than 11 tries had he not been wearing a big green parachute

sgeo

Nice laid back look to Ralph Keyes sporting his vintage ’91 kit

Ralph Keyes 1991 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

1995

Ah, here. These jerseys are definitely getting bigger

You could have fit two Nick Popplewells in there.

Ireland celebrate 1995 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Black was always very slimming all the same

And we love the squad numbers on the shorts.

Jonah Lomu 1995 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

1999

Four years later, glimpses of professionalism

A kit supplier! Marvelous, but Dion O’Cuinneagain would have completed his dash for the try-line in half the time in more aerodynamic attire.

Dion O'Cuinneagain 15/10/1999 Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

The Swoosh suited Conor O’Shea

Conor O'Shea and Ignacio Corletto 20/10/1999 Patrick Bolger / INPHO Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO

2003

Perfection

Not too tight, not too loose. Just right.

John Hayes, Shane Horgan and Ronan O'Gara INPHO INPHO

 A jersey you could go away and play rugby in or just wear casually while having a beer over breakfast watching Ireland almost beat the Wallabies

Brian O'Driscoll goes over for a try INPHO INPHO

2007

Sums up the whole thing really, off colour and overcomplicated

Brian O'Driscoll celebrates his score Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

The long sleeve option was an interesting development though

Marcus Horan and Rory Best Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

2011

A new crest and return to form

The material (like most modern jerseys) didn’t allow for much casual wear, but if you looked like Stephen Ferris, the snug fit looked great.

Stephen Ferris Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

This was the year the hard-to-grab, rubbery feel to jerseys really caught hold

And the end of supporters being able to afford the hi-tech matchday option, so slightly cheaper, less Batman-esque options were also made available.

Jonathan Sexton Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

2015

Collars out

The 2015 version is classic in its simplicity — no collar, and the merest hint of white trim around the v-neck.

Some might prefer a little bit more pizazz but there’s no need to overcomplicate things really, is there?

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Author
Sean Farrell
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