World Rugby weighs up kit change to help colour blind fans

Red-green colour clashes can also occur when Ireland take on Canadian teams

Teams may have to change their traditional shirt colours at the 2027 Rugby World Cup to avoid kit clashes that affect people with colour vision deficiency (CVD).

Red-green kits are hard to tell apart for the one in 12 men and one in 200 women worldwide who are colour blind.

That has led to World Rugby proposing new laws for the 2027 tournament.

They could see Wales or Ireland/South Africa wearing an alternative match shirt if facing each other.

Canada and Tonga also play in red while Wales have worn green as an alternative kit.

World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont lives with CVD and says the condition is "largely misunderstood" in the game.

"Through this guidance, we hope to raise awareness and change culture through positive actions that don't just address some of the more obvious challenges such as kit colours, but consider the whole matchday experience whether that be wayfinding, digital signage, branding or ticketing," said the former England captain.

"We will be leading by example across our tournaments and will be working with our national member unions and competition organisers to embed them across the game.

"This is a hugely positive step that will help cement rugby as one of the most accessible and inclusive sports on the planet."

It is understood the global governing body is also consulting international member unions about the changes ahead of 2027 - and that laws could not be introduced ahead of the 2022 Women's World Cup or the men's tournament in 2023, as commercial deals regarding match kit have either already been agreed or are in the process of being agreed.

World Rugby has identified seven main areas which can be challenging for people who are colour-blind and describes kit clashes as "the most common frustration".

Six other areas are also highlighted - equipment colours, stadium and ticket information, television coverage, workplace issues and external information such as sponsorship and emergency services.

The world governing body also recently published a new set of guidelines to help those involved with the game to understand the potential challenges for colour blind players, fans and others.

With Wales and Ireland also facing each other annually in Six Nations games for men, women and Under-20s, organisers are also aware of the proposals.

A spokesperson said: "Six Nations Rugby is committed to ensuring that as many people can enjoy our championships and the game of rugby as is possible.

"We note with interest World Rugby's initiative to help people with colour vision deficiency (CVD) enjoy rugby more fully.

"We have been in consultations with World Rugby and our constituent unions and federations on this subject and will continue our work to ensure that the Six Nations is an inclusive environment for all."

A Welsh Rugby Union spokesman added: "We are extremely proud of its work on inclusion and in disability rugby where it remains a key strategic aim to increase and enhance regular engagement and participation, across all ages, formats and competitions.

"Our plan is to grow, develop and enhance the offer of rugby union in Wales by modifying the traditional approach and ensuring we are inclusive and engaging to all people and communities and this new approach from World Rugby is one that we very much welcome and look forward to hearing more about.

"In terms of our current national kit offering, we are about to launch a new range of performance wear with our partners Macron.

"This new range will remain current for the next two seasons and will include both 'home' and 'away' jerseys. The next cycle of the design process for future kits will begin soon and we would hope to be able to fully assess these recent comments from World Rugby within that timeframe."

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