Which England soccer star caught the attention throughout coaching, the eye-watering price of Cardiff inns revealed… plus the shock title sounded out by Leicester as Michael Cheika’s alternative: RUGBY CONFIDENTIAL
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England have agreed to end their kit deal with Umbro and switch to Castore from the Autumn Nations Series.
Umbro have a contract with the RFU until 2028, but the change is imminent after the manufacturer agreed a new sub-licensing arrangement.
Following a £145million investment round, Castore signed a deal that gives them the rights to work with Umbro’s roster of football and rugby clubs.
Bath, Saracens and Harlequins are already part of Castore’s rugby portfolio and the brand – which has received investment from former British tennis star Andy Murray – is now ready to take on the national team.
The deal with the RFU is worth more than £5million per season, coupled with a long-running O2 sponsorship deal worth close to £7.5m.
England are expected to make the change after their summer tour of America.
England have agreed to switch their official kit providers from the Autumn Nations Series
Umbro are the current kit providers and did have a contract that runs until 2028
Saracens, Bath and Harlequins (pictured) are already part of Castore’s rugby kit portfolio
There are just two Twickenham Tests before Castore are expected to take over and there are already substantial reductions in the price of the Umbro jerseys being sold to fans.
Having not won the World Cup since 2003, England slipped off the radar of the biggest beasts of the sportswear world, such as Adidas and Nike.
England this week announced their schedule of autumn fixtures against Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.
Mail Sport has approached the RFU for comment.
Cardiff hotels looking to cash in
Hotel prices for England’s Six Nations finale against Wales have hit all-time rip-off highs.
Despite Wales having not won a Test since 2023, Cardiff hoteliers are still hoping to make a quick profit from the match at the Principality Stadium.
The four-star Parkgate Hotel, which is the official hotel for the Welsh Rugby Union, is offering a ‘Best Value’ rate of £1,617 for one night in a queen bed, without breakfast.
Rooms start at £149 during the week, but profiteering hoteliers have hiked up their prices by more than 1,000 per cent.
The Parkgate Hotel’s ‘Best Value’ rate of £1,617 is for a night in a queen bed, without breakfast
England will close their Six Nations campaign at the Principality Stadium against Wales
Tigers sound out shock Michael Cheika replacement
Leicester have sounded out Steve Diamond as they continue their recruitment drive to replace Michael Cheika.
The Newcastle coach is understood to have received a call last week about the post at Welford Road, where Graham Rowntree’s name also remains on the table.
The club have also looked at adding Japan coach Dave Kidwell to their coaching team for the remainder of the season.
Kidwell previously worked with Cheika at Argentina and could be drafted in as the club attempt to navigate their way to the play-offs.
The departing Tigers coach has been in the Southern Hemisphere this week, reportedly meeting with Australia CEO Phil Waugh to discuss the upcoming Wallabies job.
Newcastle coach Steve Diamond received a call as part of Leicester’s recruitment drive
Michael Cheika has reportedly held talks with Australia’s CEO over the upcoming Wallabies job
Ramsdale raises eyebrows
Southampton and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale impressed England rugby players with his catching skills at Pennyhill Park on Monday.
Ramsdale is a regular at Twickenham and sent No 10 Fin Smith a message of congratulations after the recent victory over France.
His brother, Edward, is a keen rugby player, often appearing at centre or wing for Trentham Rugby Club in Stoke.
Aaron Ramsdale impressed England’s rugby players with his catching skills at Pennyhill Park
Do not disturb!
Scotland have extended their siege mentality to the media room by ‘kindly’ asking journalists to leave their hotel straight after Thursday’s team announcement press conference.
It is common practise for journalists to work at the press conference venue, which in this instance will be held at Syon Park in London.
Despite the hotel offering communal workspaces for public use, the SRU have asked journalists to ‘work away from the hotel’.
In contrast, England have laid on spreads with soup, steak sandwiches, cake and coffee for their media sessions throughout the competition.
An end to Anglo-Welsh rivalries… for now
Bath and Cardiff will put Anglo-Welsh rivalries to one side for the remainder of the Six Nations and hold a series of joint training sessions.
The clubs often play each other during the pre-season break and now plan to hold competitive training runs whilst there are no Premiership or URC fixtures.
