LEEDS RHINOS GET READY TO MAKE A SPLASH WITH 2027 ALTERNATIVE SHIRT

The Rhinos have fizzed up their 2027 kit collection with a design inspired by one of Leeds' greatest inventions – the fizzy drink!

Leeds Rhinos are delighted to unveil their new alternative playing shirt for the 2027 Super League season, with a design that celebrates the city's place in the history of one of the world's most popular inventions – fizzy drinks.

While Leeds is famous for its Rugby League heritage, it can also lay claim to being the birthplace of something rather more refreshing, thanks to the pioneering experiments of 18th-century, Leeds born scientist Joseph Priestley.

The kit, designed by Oxen, sees a return of the popular vibrant pink for the alternative kit with navy ‘bubbles’ rising up from the bottom of the shirt. As well as being available in the usual adult, women, junior and toddler sizes, the new cropped women's shirt is also available for this season. 

Long before energy drinks, sports drinks and post-match celebrations involving a bottle of something sparkling, Priestley was busy experimenting with gases in Leeds during the 1760s.

Living next door to a brewery, Priestley became fascinated by the mysterious 'fixed air' produced during the beer fermentation process. His curiosity led him to suspend a bowl of water above a fermenting vat, allowing it to absorb the carbon dioxide and create what we now recognise as carbonated water.

In 1772, Priestley published his findings in Directions for Impregnating Water with Fixed Air, effectively giving the world its first recipe for fizzy drinks.

More than 250 years later, his discovery has provided the inspiration for the Rhinos' latest alternative shirt, bringing a little scientific sparkle to the club's 2027 kit collection.

The design pays tribute to Priestley's ingenuity and Leeds' contribution to the world of refreshments, proving that the city has always had a knack for producing something with a bit of fizz.

And while Priestley may have been more interested in the chemistry than the commercial opportunities, the Rhinos are hoping supporters will find plenty to get excited about when they see the new shirt.

Leeds Rhinos Managing Director Rob Oates commented, “I think the new kit looks fantastic. We have got very traditional Leeds colours for our principal kit this season so it was important that we did something very different for the alternative. We have had a number of pink shirts down the years which are always very popular and it is brilliant at away games to see all the fans stand out on their way to the ground and behind the sticks.”

Theo Telford, Head of Marketing for Elite Pro Sports, said, “We work closely with the Rhinos to come up with new ideas and designs. Our design team wanted to reflect something unique about the city of Leeds in the new shirt and it is always great to celebrate a city’s heritage as well as just the team. We hope everyone likes what we have come up with, it feels vibrant and fresh and we can’t wait to see the teams run out in it in 2027.”

The price of replica shirts is frozen from last year with adult sizes XS – 6XL and Ladies sizes from 8-18, including the cropped version, are priced at £54.99. Junior shirts in sizes 6-14 and toddlers are £39.99. Replica shorts and socks are also available.  

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