Six Nations 2026: Why will France play in light blue v England?

France will put on a particular version pale blue shirt in Saturday’s Six Nations sport in Paris to mark 120 years of rivalry in opposition to England.

Given England play in white, the change has raised considerations over a attainable equipment conflict.

A bonus-point win in opposition to Steve Borthwick’s aspect will safe Les Bleus a document eighth Six Nations crown.

“Drawing directly from the history of the rivalry, the design of the match jersey – and its replica version – references the original light blue jersey worn by the French team in 1906 for their first fixture against England,” stated a French federation assertion.

“The 1927 FFR logo adorned on the collection denotes the year of the French team’s first victory against England, while the ‘Tricolore’ stripes are a nod to the French rugby kits of the late 80s and 90s, when adidas was the kit supplier of the federation.”

Reports suggest, external England, who’re conscious of the attainable equipment conflict, will persist with carrying their conventional white shirt.

France often performed in darker blue so wore their white away shirt in the 50-40 defeat in Edinburgh in opposition to Scotland final weekend.

The Six Nations not permits crimson and inexperienced shirts in the Wales v Ireland fixture due to the issue spectators who’re shade blind would have advised the groups aside.

Wales wore a white shirt final weekend in Dublin, in order that it seemed light in comparison with the darkish shirt of Ireland’s inexperienced.