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British and Irish Lions unveil new shirt for 2021 South Africa tour - in pictures

Canterbury's new British and Irish Lions shirt for 2021 tour of South Africa (Canterbury)
Canterbury's new British and Irish Lions shirt for 2021 tour of South Africa (Canterbury)

The British and Irish Lions have officially unveiled their new strip for the tour to South Africa.

Warren Gatland's side are due to travel to the home of the reigning world champions in the summer of 2021 for a three-Test series against the Springboks that takes place in Johannesburg and Cape Town and also includes tour meetings with the Stormers, Sharks and Bulls as well as games against South Africa 'A' and an invitational XV.

The Lions - who last won a series in South Africa in 1997 - are also due to play only their third-ever "home" match ahead of the tour against Japan at Murrayfield in June.

The kit they will be wearing for each of those matches was presented by manufacturers Canterbury on Wednesday morning.

The familiar red design features a shoulder graphic of individual pieces that come together to form the image of a Lion, which Canterbury say "pays homage to every team-mate, club coach, family member and friend" that has helped each player to reach the pinnacle of the game.

Players and staff from Moseley Rugby Club - one of the oldest Lions Origin Clubs - helped to model the new kit, which is available to purchase now and sees Vodafone replace Standard Life as the new lead sponsor.

“The jersey looks awesome and I think Lions supporters, as well as the players, are going to love it too," said Gatland, who is taking charge of the Lions for the third successive tour after the 2013 series win in Australia and drawn series in his native New Zealand four years ago.

"Canterbury, as we have become accustomed to, have done a great job yet again.

“Some of the best experiences I’ve had as a Lions coach have been looking out across a stadium ahead of a match and seeing a ‘Sea of Red’ Lions jerseys.

"Literally entire stands turned red; it’s an incredible thing to witness and creates an atmosphere that is truly unique to the Lions.”

Scroll through the gallery at the top of the page to see pictures of the Lions' new Canterbury strip....

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