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Northampton Saints today unveiled their 2008/09 playing shirts, made by Rhino Rugby.

Bruce Reihana and Ben Lewitt of Northampton celebrate the new shirt launch

Anticipation surrounding the new shirt has been building ever since the announcement of the Saints’ four-year deal with Rhino Rugby was announced in April.

Hundreds of supporters have pre-ordered the new shirts already with the first hundred receiving an exclusive limited edition that includes the signatures of director of rugby Jim Mallinder and first team coaches Paul Grayson and Dorian West.

The new Rhino Rugby shirt features state-of-the-art COOLDRYTM quick drying technology which allows absorption and transfusion of body moisture into the fibres while allowing air to circulate around the body.

Both the home and away shirts are available in short and long-sleeved poly/cotton versions with sizes ranging from X-Small to 5X-Large. The adult shirt retails at L54.99, while the children’s shirt (available in 7-8 years, 9-10 years, 11-12 years and 13 years) retails at L39.99. This represents a price freeze that has continued for over five years.

In addition to the standard replica shirt Rhino Rugby are producing a match-day replica shirt identical to the shirt worn by the team. This will be available to order soon from the Saints Rugby Store.

"We are delighted to unveil the new Saints shirt today and are confident that every supporter will like it," said Saints chief executive Allan Robson. "With more hoops and a darker shade of green we are acknowledging our heritage. But the Rhino shirt is made from cutting-edge material and points very much to the future. We have worked closely with Rhino and have a good working relationship with them already."

"Rhino is proud to be associated with Northampton Saints," said Rhino Rugby director Steve Chapman. "They are a club that is undergoing a resurgence under Allan Robson and Jim Mallinder and we are sure that success will return soon to this great club. We are looking forward to being a part of that success and developing our relationship in the future."

Orders are being taken now for the 2008/09 Northampton Saints shirt from the Saints Rugby Store. Call 01605 581111 for more information or order online through the Saints official website.

The Saints Rugby Store is undergoing a major refit during July. But you can see the shirt and order it at a mini store in the Saints Ticket Office.

Rhino Rugby CEO Reg Clark and Northampton Saints CEO Allan Robson shake hands on the new deal, with Reihana and Ben Lewitt together with Steve Chapman and Wayne Mumford, Directors of the Rhino Pure Rugby brand.

Rhino Pure Rugby, the new playing kit and apparel brand launched by Rhino recently has already landed two major UK professional clubs in four year shirt and apparel deals from the coming season.

Northampton Saints, newly promoted to the English Premiership, were Rhino’s first signing since the strategic decision to make a significant push into this product area together with Midlands based merchandising and apparel specialists Trimerchandise. Saints CEO Allan Robson comments: "Rhino as a brand has a great rugby heritage and we were additionally very impressed by the Trimerchandise track record. We are delighted to be wearing and working with the Rhino Pure Rugby brand in this very important season for our club".

The deal was followed shortly afterwards by one with Magners Celtic League and Heineken Cup contenders Edinburgh, via the Scottish Rugby Union. Edinburgh CEO Nic Cartwright was equally enthusiastic: "The Rhino Pure Rugby team are extremely professional and experienced and we are very confident they will produce excellent products for our players and our supporters".

Rhino Pure Rugby head of sales Jason Critchley comments: "These are very significant deals for the Rhino Pure Rugby brand coming so soon after its launch, and taken together with our tie up with Combined Services, they represent a great platform for further roll out of the brand at all levels of the game".