Should Rugby Jerseys Have Player Names on Them? 

Waste of time with Wales, it would confuse more. Which Williams? Which Jones? Etc..

I'm so old school that I don't like advertising on jerseys, let alone player names: colour, small crest, number.

I think that an international rugby jersey is not something you own, it’s something you borrow from the man after you. You have your number and pass it on when your time is done. I don’t think names on a kit is a good idea

in france, they have the name of the club where they learned rugby on the bottom of the number and the numbers are fielded with all amateurs clubs names, I think it is kind of cool.

What’s difficult about this debate is that you usually see two incompatible arguments. On the one side (pro-names), the argument in favor is practical. More exposure for fans to learn the players, better marketing, etc. All practical considerations. On the other side of the debate (anti-names), the argument is very much one founded in principle. The principle being that the jersey is bigger than the player, the player represents the team and not themselves, etc. This is very much a principle-driven argument. Now, how do you balance the two? It’s hard to quantify the magnitude of principle. It’s hard to say that marketing value would outweigh public opinion: and even there, how do you really calculate public opinion? Personally, I’d be very unhappy if the Springboks put names on the jerseys in big letters. Tried it once in the early 2000’s / late-90’s… massive flop. Other countries can do what their fans want, no offense to England but there jersey is there thing - it really doesn’t bother me what their jersey looks like because I’m not an English supporter.

Yes I've always thought they should have player's names on the back especially the AB's.. Lomu, Carter, McCaw jerseys would be priceless!.

I don't mind, whichever is best for the game, but some Qs: ♣ How are names put on? Are we talking something permanent, or sth which can be removed after the game? ♦ If permanent, how many jerseys would you need for say Jimmy O'Brien? 15, 14, 13…

I would consider myself as a traditionalist and therefore would prefer for the names to remain off the shirts but there is a major need for the sport to engage with the casual fans and if this one way of doing it then sure, give it a go. It may also improve the sales of jerseys although I am not 100% convinced with that as some fans may be a little annoyed if the by a jersey with a name and number on the back only for that player to fall out of favour and either no longer play or have very limited match time

I definitely think it should be introduced. From watching the six nations this year, I got more accustomed to the Italian players names. The names I would see only a handful of times in pro games throughout the year are finally sticking because I can put a name to a face.

Other than international jerseys, I don't mind them. Though It could help with fan recognition/merchandise

In soccer there seems to be squad numbers and players keep the same shirt for a season or competition, so the name and number are synonymous. In rugby the numer represents the position not the player, surely nobody wants shirts numbered to 34 or however many players are in the squad.

I'm with you the number doesn't belong to a player he is only temporarily occupying it. The position in a team is bigger than an individual player. Putting the name on the jersey is just for marketing and casual fans who don't know any of the players. It may encourage the casuals but I don't think it's a good enough reason but unfortunately it will probably happen for most teams in this professional era. Bah humbug!

Last year jack crowley ended up wearing sextons actual 10 jersey because of last minute injury. That's the only drawback I can think of

my preference is no names but it's not something that bothers me too much

The Springboks should have kept that 1992 jersey with the Springbok jumping over the ball with the proteas coming out each side. Great logo. The greatness of past sides forged with a new future.

I think the names on the backs is more for the TV audience than the crowd at the game. You can't read them from the stands or terraces anyway, and you're seeing the players full-figure so you get to recognise their faces, haircuts, body shapes, running styles and so on. I think names on jerseys probably started in American football, where everyone's wearing so much gear it's harder to distinguish them, and also where the TV experience is very important and has been for a long time. I think we've probably reached the point now where rugby needs to develop its TV presence if it wants to grow - and names on jerseys will probably be part of that. The Six Nations gets big TV audiences in the UK and Ireland, but the audience for the Premiership, the URC and the Heineken Cup is much smaller. Don't know what it's like elsewhere - are the Top 14 or Super Rugby big TV draws?

It's all about the fans. Having the names present makes it easier for them. That's the major consideration.

I like your non-gimmicky way of sharing info. A lot of sport codes would benefit a great deal having folks like you who extends the sporting entertainment analysis beyond the green turf. Keep it up mate.

I'm good with both. Maybe i'm leaning towards the name on the jersey a bit more, just to recognize players that i don't really know, notably when i try to follow other leagues like NPC, or even the URC. I do think it could be easier for the casual viewer of rugby to get into it. Anyway i think we'll get there in a few years, it seems inevitable.

You should make a video talking about the plans for a North v South countries competition that have been reported to replace summer tests. Would be very interested to hear your take!

I think it is good to get to know the players. Other than the Wallabies and ABs and Boks, I'll only recognise less than half the players of other nations by sight. That's national teams!!! But, money will win in the end and I think they'd rather sell advertising space. They might not realise it though but the choice of sponsor can affect jersey sales. I deliberately didn't but a Wallabies jersey when they had Cadbury as the main sponsor.

Always enjoying watching your vids from South Africa. Thank you.

Maybe it might be a good idea but it's not essential. However, my wife who isn't a big rugby fan but watches occasionally said after Kinghorn scored a try for Scotland.....That Peter Vardy is a very good player....until she realised that Peter Vardy was the sponsor on the front of the shirt!😂 It could be a big money maker for them of course.

Baseball and basketball had special days where players nicknames were on the back of the jerseys and that was a bit of fun because there are players with iconic nicknames (Ray Allen: Jesus Shuttlesworth). I know it's a very gimmicky idea but there were some good ones

I'm not one for getting names on Jerseys, but if England ever have a Rugby Vest I would definitely get one with Farrell's name on it.

I had a black “SKINSTAD” Nr 8 Stormers jersey in the early 2000s my Dad got for me at Newlands when we went there for a game

My perspective arises from my disgust at the endless blather from the commentators. I'm not interested that player A scored three tries last weekend for his club side, or that Players B and C both play for the same club side, or there's a rumor that player D is leaving club X and going to club Y after his contract expires. When I'm watching an international match, I want to know the score, the time remaining, which side has the ball and where they are on the pitch. A good narrator tells you the names and the numbers of the players as they touch the ball. Superb. When there are constantly talking commentators I usually mute the audio - sometimes that causes me to miss some good narration. That's the price an old curmudgeron pays for muting out endless boring trivia from commentators. It''s worth it. Hence, put the names on the Jerseys. Occasionally that let's me know who a player is when there's a card or an injury and I've got the sound muted.

Yes. They should have their names on them and preferably they'd be similar in style to the NHL/NFL names and numbers. Big, legible, high and across the bulk of the shoulder, and consistent across the competition. The Premiership ones are too far down the back, are too small and have a horrible font. If there needs to be a sponsor then it can go below the number. Rugby in Australia is struggling and part of that is due to a lack of player recognition. Names would help. The only downside I see would be last minute squad changes could make it difficult to print the new players name and number in time. One way of countering that would allow for open slather with numbers like all US sports do and like some Sevens teams are experimenting with. Adopting that would allow for another sales opportunity where punters could buy their favourite players jersey i.e. Jordan 23.

I support the idea of names on the jerseys. Years ago in South Africa the teams playing in the Currie Cup final would have names on their jerseys for just that one match. So why not all the others? The Springboks had names on their backs in the early 2000s but they were quite small and it didn't really work so well. I think the lesson there is if you're going to do it, do it properly. Here's an even more radical thought: What about squad numbers? In almost every other professional sport a guy has a unique number so why not rugby? Can you image how many jerseys could be sold? And it's not like this sport's unions and franchises couldn't use the money.

I know that in soccer they had a long time before VAR was introduced because it cant be used in all games, i think of this in a similar fasion, it difficult for small clubs to have names on jerseys so it is the norm not too. Doesnt really matter but an interesting topic.

Yes!!!! I think it’s a good idea :) , as in scheme of it helps market specific players rather than the idea of “do you know that guy who plays at 9” especially if ur not a casual fan you won’t really know players as such especially at international level where not everyone will watch club level to recognise and know players

Would having a player particularly associated with a particular number(say Thug McCaw at 7 for New Zealand) and with an international team selling many of those Jerseys with their name not impede potential player turnover (say McCaw suffered a dip in form OR a new and exciting prospect became available, would the fact NZRU were selling a huge number of McCaw No 7 jerseys, limit the possibility of McCaw being dropped)? Also, just to take a few examples, second rows often switch around (play either 4 or 5, depending on who the other second row is - so the player recognition thing becomes less marketable. Also, just to take one example, Caelan Doris sometimes plays 6 and sometimes 8, both for Ireland and Leinster (similarly Robbie Henshaw sometimes plays 12 and sometimes 13 both for Leinster and Ireland). Might a coach feel inhibited about moving/dropping a player based on the marketing of Jerseys? In the sports where printing names on Jerseys is typical, these concerns usually don't matter - no one else is wearing the "Star" player's number. Rugby selection doesn't operate that way.

Wales had names On shirts back in 2008. Hated it then… hate it now

I agree with your statement and I was wracking my brain to remember a similar quote I heard saying basically the same on an AB documentary. I never want to see similar foolishness that the NFL and NBA has with numbers. I do remember the confusion we had when some nations reversed the numbers. 'Course that was long ago.... Some players wear distinguishing headgear- Tipuric for example. Or give the ref something to hone in on, like a shaved head, dyed hair, flashy boots. Personally I preferred anonymity.

I think it’s good. We want to promote player personalities and individuality so this seems like a way to encourage that

Until fairly recently Leicester jerseys had letters rather than numbers. I really liked that (no, I'm not a Tigers fan) but they were forced to change over to numbers for some arbitrary reason. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter what's printed on the outside of the jersey.

If I remember correctly, the Springboks did it for a short time around 1999. Also the Bulls used to do it when they played in the Super Rugby final, and even under the crest they had the players' names.

Hello Mark, *World Rugby should Disallow names on jerseys because We Are Rugby* not soccer. In rugby, *The Number Holds Importance over the player* It disappointing to see the 7s have done random numbers to players. They should revert back to having *specific player positions that make up the 7 players* For example: as per team player lineup pick: 2- hooker 5- lock 8- eightman 10- flyhalf 12- inside center 13- outside center 15- fullback . *Picking any XV-type 7 men* . Not random numbers.

Totaly agree with your 'ols man' point of view. Players are only care keepers of the jersey. Maybe I'm just a grumpy old git but it annoys me to see names on jerseys more then it should.

Apparently I wouldn't really care about the names on the jersey there or not, especially when the refs care more about the numbered player they're penalizing. And also since it used to be a thing back in the day when they had names on jerseys, it's the jersey itself that matters regardless of who sponsors the team.

I don't see how it hurts anyone, it only helps. I watch as many international matches as I can, but I don't follow English club rugby, new guys come in and out the side all the time who I don't know, it helps identify the non households name players like Farrell on our side, and even more so with other countries who's teams I don't see as much of if they play in different timezones.

Try finding a font that would fit the surnames of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens on the back. It's easier if the name is Smith or Jones. Rugby is a team game, let's not make it about personalities and egos. I am old school, keep the number only.

If you turn up at a club game then names on shirts make sense. You tune into an international game you should know who the players are if not then you look them up.

In regards of jerseys i think is important to have clear numbers before in the back and why not the front of the jerseys, in the past there was a clear square contrast field arround the number ,sometimes its realy hard to see the numbers and also the ref is telling players to turn round to identify them in case of a sanction, besides the franchise teams have come with realy intricate and ornate designs that confuses the identification of players . i understand that is a good thing to atract new people to the sport too so there should be a balance between theese factors and also the sponsorship that plays a non trivial role in financing the sport . By last i think teams should do as they see best in regards of naming the jerseys for shure is a more expensive and time consuming thing to the organization to do so .

Mark you always look extra good in white. Should stick to that colour I reckon

Cons: Really long names, Language of name (eg japanese ,georgian), player pulls out that afternoon, Size of jersey (antino replaced with smaller guy VV) , jersey are usually per game not for a year etc, home and away strips,

Great for fan engagement imo

Wales did put the name on the back years ago then stopped, I have no idea why to be honest. Sponsorship spot maybe? If you'r watching form home or if you can see the big screen in the stadium then the name is a great idea for identifying the player. Also could help sell replicas with a big player name on the back like football. But they aren't marketed that way nor sold with the name printed already. As you pointed out the number is tied to the position not the player so the big name on a kit doesn't really work that well. Having McCaw or Kolisi on the World Cup kit they won it in is special. But rugby works in eras so having a name on a kit and they move to different team or retire its a moment in time worth remembering. I don't mind a name or no name on a kit honestly, no real negatives or big positives for every team to start putting names on kits. Nice to have a name on the back but not necessary.

I agree with you. Names on jerseys are silly.

I suppose if there is a late change or an injury before the game starts in the warm up it would be nice to not have to wear someone else’s jersey. Also it would be good not to have the name on the jersey to drive home the point it’s yours this week it might not be yours next week.

There was never names before why now ? Keep the names off the jersey

Yes, for viewers benefit

The argument that it helps increase fans with opportunity to i.d players doesn't really work for me. I wen to Leinster vs Leicester champs cup game with Leicester having the player names on their jerseys and tbh i couldnt read them, even though we were pitchside. This indicates its more for tv viewers, but because of the nature of the sport would it not be better to invest in infographics for when a player has the camera put on them that says their name/number, that way both fans in the stadium or watching streams get a clear visual. Side note: i think names likely creates more waste in the club scene as shirt recyclability increase slightly if you have multiple names associated to a number.

I'd prefer no names. When I started watching rugby I learned the players names by listening to the commentators.

I would prefer if they did have names on the back. I would vastly prefer of they had names and no sponsor on the back. It would be great for casual fans, such as myself. Unfortunately all sports have fans who act as gatekeepers who kick and scream at "bloody casuals breaking tradition".

I am a traditionalist when it comes to rugby, but would have no issues with names on the back of jerseys as long as it stops there, and does not go the way of American sports where the number becomes detached from the position.

"Should Rugby Jerseys Have Player Names on Them?" No.

I agree with you.

I hope rugby never has squad numbers. Is there not a practical consideration that teams can’t necessarily afford to print the same name on lots of different jerseys. Potentially, you might have to print the same player’s name on different jerseys if there’s a late change in position? All the other sports that do names on jerseys use squad numbers so it doesn’t matter if plays in a different position last minute, he wears the same jersey.

Can we see your collection of shirts?

No. As Nigel Owen would say: “This is not soccer!”

Yes please.

No because you soon go down the road of ridiculousness. As you pointed out, many American sports do this which is the reason why we should not get caught up in it. The player becomes associated with the number and so when the player retires, so does the number which is problematic for rugby. Imagine Doris or Savea playing at number 8 with the number 8 jersey on their back. They now retire and so reland and New Zealand now retire the number 8 on the jersey. The next player in the number 8 position is wearing number 00 or 99 or some other number. Before long we have we have three digit numbers. It's a nonsense. I understand for advertisements but for players names, no. There is after all no I in team and no individual is better than his/her team as a whole. However, if I remember correctly, soccer introduced names on back of jerseys just before they held the World Cup in USA. With the Rugby World Cup to be held in USA in 2031, it may become mandatory for all teams to apply team numbers to players in the squads

The rebels do it in super rugby, with the sponsor too

I don't mind but it must be 1-15 starting the game. We can't have squad numbers as in soccer.

It helps people identify players but that's it. There's no monetary value in it for players like the NBA where players get 40% of all revenue from their jersey. Don't care if they do or don't tbh.

You may own that particular test jersey, but you never own the number on the back. Your place in the team is just that - a place in the team. When you get the privilege to represent the team, you serve a role in the team - characterised by your number… not your name. For a player to go down in history, they should earn their number by becoming synonymous with their number. Think Etzebeth, Carter, Lomu, etc. (there are so many). These people are regarded as some of the best players ever to wear their number - and that’s exactly how it should be.

English people not being fans of change is generally very accurate.

Not on international jerseys. Part of the ethos of not owning the jersey.

Nice thema

Definitely...better connection with the players ....

What your thoughts on the new alternative jersey rule.

Can you do a video on why you think rugby is more entertaining/worth getting into than league in 2023?

nope don't agree with names, having names on the back will only lead to certain players "owning" the shirt and that is not what rugby is all about. you possess the shirt for a period of time and hand it off to another so it should always be only about the shirt and not the player in the shirt. this will end up in marquee players retaining numbers and others wearing silly numbers like football and other sports. nope not for me.

Why not? Helps some clueless commentators in the URC of anything. Calling Stockdale- Balacoune for an entire half was laughable

For the internationals (certainly scotland), the strips are embroidered with the match details and the player's name and cap number, so strips are new for every game anyway. Even as someone who is a pretty diehard rugby fan, the names help a lot. I used to watch a fair whack of Super rugby, Premiership and Top14 (along side Celtic League/etc), but now I've got kids and generally less time, I'm only really dipping in and out of the european leagues and haven't watched any Super rugby in years. Know less and less of the players, even for someone who's a URC season ticket holder. I know some english clubs did squad numbers in the early days of Professionalism, and I always wonder if that isn't a bad thing, would definitely allow clubs to market players better, and then would also make more sense when TV broadcasts show the formations pre-game (something I've never understood!). But then, even for a diehard Glasgow fan, I'd probably get confused as to who is playing where (not that Franco smith cares for numbers when it comes to the back row and centres!) side note: Wales used to have names on the back, think late 2000s.

It's gotta be the cost of needing to print new shirts names veery week.

Brian Lima = Chiropractor.

Never mind the play names, bring back jerseys with letters on the back!

i think they should go full footy and take the numbers away from positions and have it allocated to players, adds more to shirt sales

I say if they get names they should get any numbers

I don't like names on jerseys

I like it personally but can usually recognise a lot of the players in internationals

I believe it's about the jersey not the player, leave the. Names off.

I'm happy for club to have it but not international. You are representing a country and a team of 15, not individuals

No, if the fans don't know their name then they're not real fans.

No

As someone once said this is not soccer, names no thank you

No! Definitely no!

It should, yes

I think they should have the names on the back And definitely I don’t agree with 20 mins red cards at all!

I think it’s good to have names. I prefer using players names when watching and sometimes you just forget it so it makes it easy to discus the game. Especially when it’s replacements. They are often more obscure players

No. It's tacky.

I dont see it as an issue; in terms of what effect it has on the game. I'd understand if it caused some form of distraction for players themselves and the officials but it doesn't really, let's be fair. And regarding what somebody said it was about the jersey not the player, I disagree completely. The player is what makes the jersey, not the other way around. Dan Carter made the 10 jersey his own countless times, but then Beauden Barrett came along and said 'Hold my pavlova'. And he then went and made that 10 jersey his own. Wouldn't have mattered even if their names were on the jersey, because it was what they could do that earned them that jersey in the first place.

I'd like to see it

I must be in the minority but I prefer not having player names. I like the clean look of just the numbers

I reckon names should be prominent! On the pitch......... I despise Sponsor names on National Jerseys.........They're introduction is inexorably linked with the dumbing down of our beautiful Game! Glad t see you made it back safely from the "MIddle Kingdom"I I kept scanning the South China Post's website for reports of "Long Kiwi Gai Jin arrested for filming unusual traffic lights!"...........But you obviously managed to smooth-talk you way out of any potentially sketchy "spying" accusations......

Like always rugby is stuck in outdated traditions, it's just easier to identify players. It will contribute to the growth of the game

Instinctively would have been anti due to ol Man tradional syndrome but you've convinced me otherwise 👍

100%. To grow in the current sporting world you need stars. You need household names.