Rugby: All bleus! France launch new strip

The new French rugby jersey launched by adidas. Photo / adidas

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. After losing last year's Rugby World Cup final to the All Blacks, the French rugby team have launched a new strip with a similar design to the world champions.

France's new jersey sponsor Adidas revealed the strip on Facebook overnight under the tagline 'all bleus'.

The strip sees the French go back to their traditional royal blue and features red, white and blue stripes above the emblem and adidas logo. It also includes royal blues shorts and red socks.

The French have previously been sponsored by Nike which brought a change to a darker blue strip four years ago, causing a jersey clash every time they faced the All Blacks.

At the 2007 Rugby World Cup the All Blacks had to wear an alternative grey strip while France wore white in last year's final defeat at Eden Park.

The new French jersey also features a white collar, similar to one the All Blacks introduced to their strip last season.

"All bleus???? come on could u get any more like the all blacks? first the jersey now all bleus.... come on adidas get original," said one Facebook user.

"Have adidas forgotten they are the all blacks champion and sponsor? They know nz takes it all personally...," another user added.

One Facebook user pointed out the 'all blues' tagline is not in reference to the All Blacks however, but part of the adidas 'All In' campaign which was launched last year.

- HERALD ONLINE