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

1987

Here the ’87 kit as modelled by Donal Lenihan

No nonsense with this jumper.

Source: 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.

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

1991

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

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

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

1995

Ah, here. These jerseys are definitely getting bigger

You could have fit two Nick Popplewells in there.

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Black was always very slimming all the same

And we love the squad numbers on the shorts.

Source: Billy Stickland/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.

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

The Swoosh suited Conor O’Shea

Source: Patrick Bolger/INPHO

2003

Perfection

Click Here: cheap nrl merchandise

Not too tight, not too loose. Just right.

Source: 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

Source: INPHO

2007

Sums up the whole thing really, off colour and overcomplicated

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

The long sleeve option was an interesting development though

Source: Billy Stickland/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.

Source: Billy Stickland/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.

Source: Dan Sheridan/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?

Ex-Munster centre de Villiers nears Springboks comeback after horror injury4 or 5 sessions a day in ‘deepest, darkest Poland’ — George North looks ahead to World Cup prep