STATEMENT: England confirms they've ditched Umbro for new kit supplier
Rugby NewsWednesday, 23 April 2025 at 09:47
Castore has officially teamed up with England Rugby in a long-term deal that sees the British sportswear powerhouse become the official
Technical Kit Partner across the men’s and women’s teams.
This major shake-up arrives just in time for a landmark moment in English rugby—with the Women’s Rugby World Cup coming home this summer. It’s out with the old, in with the Beahons.
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The Beahon Brothers Are In
Founded by brothers Tom and Phil Beahon in the North West of England, Castore has already kitted out elite names across sport. Now, they’re suiting up England’s finest in a deal that stretches across match day kit, training gear, and travel wear.
From Owen Farrell’s successors to Marlie Packer and co., every layer of England Rugby—from players to backroom staff—will now be united under Castore’s high-performance brand identity.
Bill Sweeney Welcomes the New Era
Rugby Football Union CEO, Bill Sweeney, couldn’t hide his excitement:
“We’re really pleased to be announcing our partnership with Castore, a brand born in the North West of England by entrepreneurs Tom and Phil Beahon."
When Can Fans Get Their Hands on It?
The first drop of the all-new Castore England kit hits shelves in May, with more to come throughout the summer as anticipation builds for the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Supporters can grab the latest kit from:
- www.castore.com
- The official England Rugby Store at Allianz Stadium
- EnglandRugbyStore.com
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Three England Stars Who Could Lose Their Central Contracts
Last October, England handed out 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts as part of the shiny new Professional Game Partnership deal.
It gave head coach Steve Borthwick more control than ever, including the final word on all sports science and medical matters.
Among the big winners were George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith – all three fly-halves receiving upgraded deals ahead of the autumn internationals.
But fast forward six months, and not all those golden ticket holders are sitting pretty. We take a look at three players who could be on the chopping block ahead of the next round of central contract decisions.
#1. Henry Slade – The Class Act Losing His Place
Slade’s silky style has long made him a favourite with fans – but his Six Nations was anything but smooth. Once pencilled in as a midfield maestro, he now finds himself completely out of Borthwick’s 23.
His combination with Ollie Lawrence never quite clicked, and although there were flickers of promise, it wasn't enough to convince the coaches. Slade was ultimately cast aside in favour of Fraser Dingwall, and now his England future – and his central contract – looks seriously uncertain.
Possible replacement: Fraser Dingwall
The mid-Six Nations switch that saw him take Slade's place has given Dingwall a solid opportunity to make a real push for a long-term role in the squad. A gritty and intelligent player, he’s an ideal fit in the centre and could continue his rise with consistent performances.
#2. Theo Dan – The Rise and Fall
Dan looked to be the hooker-in-waiting not long ago, but with Luke Cowan-Dickie back in the mix and firing, the Saracen has tumbled down the pecking order.
He managed just a single appearance in the 2025 Six Nations, coming off the bench late against Ireland when the game was already slipping away.
He gave it his all and made his presence felt in the collisions, but the timing didn’t allow for a real impact.
With Jamie George still first choice and LCD surging back, Dan might be sweating over that central contract renewal.
Possible replacement: Luke Cowan-Dickie
With the England hooker pool still fairly tight, LCD’s return to form after a spell on the sidelines could see him leapfrog others back into the starting role. His set-piece mastery and work rate up front could be enough to secure him a spot, especially with competition thinning out.
#3. George Ford – Still Magic, But Marginalised
Here’s the big one. Ford, the experienced general with nearly a century of caps, has found himself on the fringes thanks to Fin Smith’s electric rise.
He only got a sliver of game time during the Championship – a brief stint against Wales – but what a cameo it was.
Two assists and a masterclass in game management. Classic Ford: overlooked, underrated, but undeniably brilliant.
With both Smiths tipped for Lions duty this summer, Ford will have a golden window to remind everyone – including Borthwick – why he still deserves that England contract.
Possible replacement: Jack van Poortvliet (this would even up the squad with two scrum-halves and two fly-halves)
A real option for the future at scrum-half, van Poortvliet could offer Borthwick the ideal balance in the half-back department. With the potential for two fly-halves and two scrum-halves in the squad, van Poortvliet's dynamism and composure could provide the extra spark needed to even things out.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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