Playing Strip
Wales play in red jerseys (embroidered with the Prince of Wales's feathers), white shorts and red socks. Their change strip (also known as alternative strip) is black jerseys, shorts and socks although there have been various different coloured strips in the past. In international rugby union, the home team traditionally wears their change strip if there is a colour clash; hence the name change strip rather than away strip. The strip is currently made by Under Armour. The shirt sponsor is Cardiff based Insurance firm, Admiral. For the Rugby World Cup, however, the jersey is only allowed the national union's emblem, the Rugby World Cup logo, and the logo of the jersey's manufacturer on it.
The Prince of Wales' feathers were chosen in the 19th century by the WRU over another Welsh symbol, the leek, to demonstrate the nation's loyalty to Britain. In 1991, to enable the device to be trademarked, the original generic motif was replaced with a more stylised version. The original motto beneath the feathers was Ich dien (German for "I serve") but was replaced with WRU in the new version.
Wales wore black jerseys as part of celebrations for the WRU's 125th anniversary in 2005. The jersey was worn against Fiji and then Australia that year; the Australia match was the first time Wales had not played in their red jersey against one of their traditional rivals. Former change strips worn by Wales have included a green jersey with red collar and cuffs and white shorts, which was worn during the 1980s, most notably against Tonga and Canada in pool matches during the 1987 Rugby World Cup.
In 2011 Wales unveiled a new strip for the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand which saw them return to the black jersey permanently until 2013.
Read more about this topic: Wales National Rugby Union Team
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