In Pics | Munster Rugby Shirts Through The Years

6th April 2020 By The Editor

Neil Cronin in our current home jersey. Inpho

Take a look back at the evolution of Munster Rugby jerseys from the amateur era to the present day – from the traditional red shirt and white collar to the modern adidas designs.

Not only have the jerseys changed but the Munster crest has been updated over the years.

As rugby turned professional and the number of games increased by the year, jerseys were changed more frequently with an alternate jersey also introduced and special European jerseys launched in 2014.

Munster even had a one-off jersey for an away game against Saracens in December 2012 because the broadcasters found that there was not sufficient difference between Munster’s home (red) and alternate (dark navy) strip and that of Saracens home jersey. Adidas produced a one-off jersey for the game.

The current Munster range of jerseys, training wear and leisure wear is wider than ever before and is available exclusively at Life Style Sports here.

Take a look back through photos of the jerseys Munster have worn over the years below.

Traditional home jersey

A red shirt with a white collar, the original crest consisted of three gold crowns on a navy field.

Michael Kiernan in the classic Munster shirt. INPHO/Billy Stickland

Moss Keane in the classic Munster shirt. INPHO/Billy Stickland

Phil Danaher in December 1994. INPHO

Home jersey: 1995 – 1997

Munster in action against Swansea in their first European Cup match in 1995. INPHO/Billy Stickland

The home jersey was unchanged for the 1996/97 campaign with Noel Healy, Terry Kingston and John ‘Paco’ Fitzgerald packing down in the famous win against Wasps. INPHO/Billy Stickland

Alternate jersey: 1996/97

Munster wore an ‘away’ jersey for the first time in the European Cup against Milan at Irish Independent Park in October 1996.

Ben Cronin (centre) and Anthony Foley (bottom) in action against Milan. INPHO/Tom Honan

Home jersey: 1997 – 1999

An updated crest feature on this jersey, the three gold crowns on a navy field remained but it was surrounded by a gold rugby ball.

Rhys Ellison on the run against Bourgoin in September 1997 with Mick Galwey and Alan Quinlan in the background. INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

You can get a closer look at the new look crest below in the picture of a fresh-faced Declan Kidney.

Home jersey: 1998/99

Current title sponsors Bank of Ireland came on board in 1998.

Alternate jersey: 1998 – 1999

Home jersey: 1999 – 2002

The crest reverted to the original design but there was a change to the colouring with a white background and navy crowns.

Alan Quinlan in action against Colomiers in December 1999.

The Munster team celebrate beating Colomiers in 1999. INPHO/Billy Stickland

John Langford takes a lineout against Leinster in January 1999.

Alternate jersey: 2000 – 2002

Ronan O’Gara in January 2001.

Home jersey: 2002 – 2004

John O’Neill in August 2001. INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Ronan O’Gara and Anthony Foley celebrate the ‘Miracle Match’ victory over Gloucester in January 2003.

Alternate jersey: 2002 – 2004

John Kelly, Peter Stringer and Anthony Foley in October 2002. INPHO/Billy Stickland

There were two home jerseys worn in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 season, the design was the same but the sponsors had changed.

The Munster crest was also created in 2003 and featured on the short. The three gold crowns from the original Munster crest were retained and the stag was included because in Irish folklore it was portrayed as an animal that always defended its own territory – very apt for a rugby team! One of the great Munster families, the McCarthy’s, who trace their origins back to the Carthach, the 11th century Prince of Munster, also had a stag on a shield of metal grey as their crest. The McCarthy motto, “to the brave and faithful nothing is impossible”, was adopted by Munster Rugby.

Home jersey: 2003 – 2005

Paul O’Connell of Munster in January 2004. ©INPHO/Patrick Bolger

Christian Cullen in October 2004. INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Alternate jersey: 2004 – 2006

Denis Leamy in October 2004.

Barry Murphy in September 2005. INPHO/Billy Stickland

Home jersey: 2005 – 2007

Jerry Flannery in April 2006.

Alternate jersey: 2006/07

Frankie Sheahan in August 2006. INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Home jersey: 2007 – 2009

Adidas came back on board with Munster before the 2007/08 season. Peter Stringer. INPHO/Billy Stickland

Alternate jersey: 2007/08

Doug Howlett in the 2008 Champions Cup final. INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Alternate jersey: 2008/09

Doug Howlett, Keith Earls and David Wallace in August 2008. INPHO/Billy Stickland

Home jersey: 2009 – 2011

Jean de Villiers in December 2009. INPHO/James Crombie

Alternate jersey: 2009/10

Alan Quinlan in September 2009. INPHO/Huw Evans

Alternate jersey: 2010/11

Denis Leamy and Billy Holland in August 2008. INPHO/James Crombie

Home jersey: 2011 – 2013

Ian Keatley kicks watched by Peter O’Mahony, Duncan Williams, Denis Fogarty and Mick O’Driscoll. INPHO/James Crombie

Alternate jersey: 2011/12

Paul O’Connell and John Hayes in December 2011. INPHO/Billy Stickland

Alternate jersey: 2012/13

Ronan O’Gara in February 2013. INPHO/Huw Evans

One-off jersey: 2012/13

Munster wore a one-off jersey for the Champions Cup clash away to Saracens in December 2012 because the broadcasters found that there was not sufficient difference between Munster’s home (red) and alternate (dark navy) strip and that of Saracens home jersey.

Munster, as per competition rules, had to change and played in a predominately white jersey not too dissimilar to their 2008/2009 alternate jersey. The jersey was worn with that year’s alternate dark navy shorts and red socks. This was an exclusive jersey made for the squad for this fixture and was not available in retail outlets.