France V England: France To Wear Light Blue Shirt As 120-Year Rivalry Tribute Spurs Kit-Clash Questions

In the lead-up to the Six Nations match in Paris on Saturday, france v england will feature France in a special-edition pale blue shirt to mark 120 years of rivalry, a switch that has prompted concerns about a potential kit clash with England’s white.

Why The Light Blue Shirt For France V England

France’s federation says the special jersey draws directly on the rivalry’s early history. The design references the light blue shirt worn in 1906 for France’s first fixture against England. The collection also features the 1927 federation logo, denoting the year of France’s first victory over England, while “Tricolore” stripes nod to kits from the late 1980s and 1990s, when adidas supplied the team.

The one-off shirt will be worn in Paris as France chase major stakes in this year’s Championship, adding a historic flourish to one of rugby’s longest-running contests.

Kit Clash Concerns And What Each Side Expects To Wear

The pale hue has raised the prospect of a visual clash, given England traditionally wear white. Reports suggest England plan to stick with their standard white shirt. France usually run out in a darker blue, but wore their white change strip in the 50-40 defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh last weekend.

The conversation around colors comes amid broader efforts to improve visibility for all spectators. The Six Nations no longer permits red and green kits to face each other in the Wales vs Ireland fixture due to challenges for color-blind viewers. In Dublin last weekend, Wales wore white so the matchup presented as light versus dark against Ireland’s green.

What’s At Stake In Paris

A bonus-point win over Steve Borthwick’s side would secure Les Bleus a record eighth Six Nations crown. England defeated France in last year’s tournament, a recent result that adds edge to the latest meeting.

With permutations in play, france v england takes on added significance for the hosts, who have tied their commemorative kit to a pivotal night in the title race.