Kit clash chaos ahead of USA v England fixture that has left sour taste
USA will host England in Washington D.C. on Saturday.
As USA prepare to host England on Saturday at Audi Field, Planet Rugby understands that there’s been a little bit of a kerfuffle over the rights for the home team, USA, to wear their predominantly white kit.
USA sources told us exclusively that England informed them last week that they were wearing their white kit and that the Eagles were the ones that would have to change.
Reasons stated were unclear – vacillating between a need to promote the new white Castore kit and a claim that “they’d run out of the change strip” due to using it in two Tests against Argentina.
Eagles frustration
Our USA sources expressed frustration at the call, suggesting that it was a case of a bit of them and us in terms of Tier One and Tier Two hierarchy and were very disappointed at not being able to wear their famous white with red and blue detailing.
How to watch USA v England free: Live stream, channel and kick-off time
Up until very recently, it was, of course, traditional for the home team to change in case of a kit clash, but regulations were brought in recently to assist with accessibility issues for viewers with sight issues.
World Rugby Regulation 15.8 states: At least three (3) months prior to the commencement of an International Tour Unions shall exchange Team kit colours and agree if there is any clash of Team kits. If a clash exists between the proposed Team kits, the CEO of World Rugby or his nominee will seek to resolve the matter. However, in the event of a clash of kits, in the absence of any agreement to the contrary, the Host Union shall be entitled to wear its home kit.
England tour finale
It is uncertain who made the final decision on the kit change.
Steve Borthwick’s England side go into the game in Washington D.C. on the back of two impressive wins over Los Pumas, with this the final match of their Americas tour.