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.

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.

Home jersey: 1995 – 1997

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.

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.

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.

Alternate jersey: 2000 – 2002

Home jersey: 2002 – 2004

Alternate jersey: 2002 – 2004

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

Alternate jersey: 2004 – 2006

Home jersey: 2005 – 2007

Alternate jersey: 2006/07

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

Alternate jersey: 2008/09

Home jersey: 2009 – 2011

Alternate jersey: 2009/10

Alternate jersey: 2010/11

Home jersey: 2011 – 2013

Alternate jersey: 2011/12

Alternate jersey: 2012/13

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.

Home jersey: 2013 – 2015

Alternate jersey: 2013/14

Alternate jersey: 2014/15

European home jersey: 2014 – 2016

Munster launched their first European home jersey in 2014.

Alternate jersey: 2015/16

Home jersey: 2015 – 2017

Alternate jersey: 2016/17

European home jersey: 2016 – 2018

Home jersey: 2017 – 2019

Alternate jersey: 2017/18

Alternate jersey: 2018/19

European home jersey: 2018 – 2020

Home jersey: 2019 – 2021

Alternate jersey: 2019/20