Wales' new rugby kit unveiled
Wales' new hi-tech rugby kit has been launched.
Dave Brookes was lucky enough to be at the Millennium Stadium to experience a day in the life of an international player, find out what the build up is like for a big match and try on the new kit. What an honour!
SEE THE PHOTOS OF DAVE IN THE NEW KIT
It's been nearly a year in the making but the new kit could be the most technologically advanced in the world. From slinky, "anti-grab" material and in-built sun protection, to team socks with added charcoal to stop them smelling, its creators say it is a genuine feat of engineering to help finely tune performances.
The shirt will get its debut against South Africa on November 8th and is designed to keep the players' core body temperature at the optimal level, and to keep them dry, removing sweat in seconds.
It also features "dragon scale grippy" technology on the inside of the sleeves and to the side of the chest for enhanced ball-handling ability and can even withstand being pulled in different directions.
Its durability was put to the test when Wales coach Warren Gatland told his team to try and rip the shirts off each other's backs during a training session.
The kit combines technology with comforting hints of Welsh tradition because on the inside of the collar, the word Calon (heart) is stitched above a Welsh flag to give the players an emotional boost.
The company behind the new kit is US firm Under Armour, the flagship sportswear provider for American football and basketball, which has also provided equipment for soldiers on the frontline.
Its multi-million-pound deal with the WRU is being seen as a massive coup on both sides of the Atlantic, not least because it is the company's first foray into the world of rugby. Its bosses admit they had considered designing kit for other nations, but chose Wales because of its passion for the sport.
The new kit is on sale now from £70 for the professional jersey and £40 for the fans' shirt at WRU.
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