Cardiff Rugby and Cardiff RFC have drawn upon one of the most distinctive chapters in the club’s history to unveil a special kit marking its 150th anniversary.

Working with Macron and inspired by the jersey worn by Cardiff’s pioneering team of 1876, the all-black strip features the original skull and crossbones emblem captured in the iconic photograph of inaugural captain TS Donaldson Selby.

The sesquicentennial kit will be worn by both the first team and Rags on Saturday, December 5, in a double-header at the Arms Park, the closest date to the anniversary of the club’s first competitive fixture.  

This took place on Saturday, December 2, 1876, against Newport RFC at Wentloog Marshes, and 150 years and three days later the Rags will take on the Black and Ambers once again. The Super Rygbi Cymru fixture will take place following Cardiff Rugby’s BKT United Rugby Championship clash with Ulster on what promises to be a fitting occasion in the capital. 

As a minimum, the special edition kit will also be worn against the Barbarians in the celebratory sesquicentennial fixture in June 2027, while other fixtures are being identified.

Tickets for Cardiff Rugby vs Barbarian FC are available here. 

The all-black strip sees all club and sponsor logos move to a muted black design to give the closest possible likeness to the jersey worn in 1876. 

With the skull and crossbones taking centre stage in striking white, the club’s principal partner RSK has moved to the right chest, while the Cardiff Coat of Arms is sublimated on the back of the jersey. 

Inside the collar, a gold tape features the inscriptions CELEBRATING 150 YEARS and YMLAEN CAERDYDD (Forward Cardiff), separated by a representation of the rugby ball taken from the official crest. The kit is completed with all black shorts and socks.

A cotton long-sleeve rugby jersey, inspired by this famous shirt, will also be released in the coming weeks, completing an extended range to celebrate the sesquicentennial season. 

The club have already released their home and alternative strips to be worn by the Firsts and Rags, featuring both crests either side of the Macron hero emblem.

Blue and black features heavily throughout both kits, with the home jersey featuring a traditional quartered design, carrying through onto the sleeves and featuring gold detailing. The alternate is predominantly white with blue and black shoulder, sleeves and side panels. 

All three kits are made from Eco Fabric, 100% polyester derived from recycled post-consumer plastic. The main fabric used is Eco Armevo, complemented by inserts in Eco Boditex and Eco Strong Mesh, which combine performance and durability with lightness and breathability.

The new kits, together with the clothing collection created by Macron for Cardiff Rugby, are available in the dedicated section for the Welsh club on macron.com.