England rugby release eighth jersey in two years

Jack Nowell (left), George Kruis (centre), and Maro Itoje helped launch the kit. Photo / canterbury.com

The England rugby have launched their new alternate kit for the 2016-17 season, the eighth England shirt released in two years

The kit, which is made by Canterbury, will be worn by the national side for the first time against Fiji at Twickenham on November 19. The strip is said to be inspired by kits that have been worn by the national side over the last 25 years.

The kit is predominantly navy blue and includes a St George's cross which is printed over the middle of the chest.

The cross is made up of a collection of red spots which are meant to represent the tradition of wearing bow ties during games throughout the 1900s.

A closer l👀k at the new @EnglandRugby alternate shirt🌹 #CommittedToTheGame pic.twitter.com/G84UKzdOUQ

— Canterbury (@canterburyNZ) August 31, 2016

Every shirt made will feature a 3D rose, which Canterbury say acknowledges a tradition that goes back to the 1800s when England players would embroider an individual rose on their shirt. The design is rounded off with a deconstructed collar.

The Test jersey costs £90 (NZ$162), while the normal adult version is £65 and the children's is £50.

England captain Dylan Hartley said: "I push myself and I push the team, we strive for improvement, and that's represented in the kit we wear.

"It's a huge honour to put on the England shirt. To have the Rose and St Georges Cross on while we play highlights the commitment to our country, to our history and to rugby."

England's women's side will also wear the new strip.