England release new kit for 2023 Autumn Test Series against Tonga; ‘Back in Blue’

England Rugby League have today released a new kit for the upcoming three-match Test Series against Tonga taking place between October and November.

Once again made by OXEN, the white kit dons a navy blue chevron, collar and cuff, with a red outline adding detail to those areas.

The same colour combination proved a hit in the kit worn by the Three Lions and Lionesses in last year’s World Cup, which saw the men’s and women’s team reach their respective semi-finals, while the Wheelchair side went all the way to glory and lifted silverware on home soil.

With an embroidered England crest, the new kit also has a ribbed collar and navy side panels. It will be debuted when the men’s team take on Tonga in the first of that three-match series on Sunday 22 October at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium.

That will be the first time those two nation have met since the 2017 World Cup Semi-final in Auckland, a pulsating affair which England won 20-18.

Another new kit for England

While the newly-released kit is easy on the eye, it’s the second one released by the national side this year alone.

The previous, donned by each respective team just once, was in aid of the MND Association. England’s men wore that one as they trounced France 64-0 back in April in a mid-season friendly at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.

If supporters want to get their hands on the new kit, an adult version will cost £54.99 for the shirt, and £28.99 for the shorts.

With both of those included, children’s kits fall just short of £65, while a full toddler’s version of the kit is £34.99.

It’s worth noting that England are still selling the MNDA shirts worn in those mid-season friendlies mentioned above, and they haven’t been cut in price at all, still costing the same as the new kit four months on.

RL Commercial Director urges fans to get their hands on new kit

RL Commercial Managing Director Rhodri Jones spoke to Love Rugby League exclusively earlier this week about Super League’s new TV deal.

Now, via the RFL website, he’s expressed his delight at the new international kit’s design. Jones said: “The recently announced international calendar offers an exciting outlook for international Rugby League, beginning in a little over eight weeks’ time with the visit of Tonga.

“It promises to be a fantastic series and we can’t wait to see the thousands of passionate England fans in the stands wearing the new shirt, featuring the chevron design which has quickly become synonymous with England Rugby League.”

As an incentive to get fans to click the ‘buy’ button, the RFL have announced that the first 100 people to purchase the new England RL shirt will go into a draw to win four hospitality tickets to the England versus Tonga series opener at St Helens.

The Three Lions will also take on ‘Mate Ma’a Tonga’ at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield on Saturday October 28 and Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium on Saturday November 4. All three tests will kick-off at 2.30pm BST.

READ NEXT: RFL explain why England kit has gone from red to blue