Rugby lawmakers are set to introduce a rule change that will prevent teams in red or green from playing one another in their traditional colours as a means to help colour blind supporters.
The change will be implemented from the 2027 Rugby World Cup, after which it will be forbidden for opposing red or green teams to face one another in those kits.
Red-green colour blindness is the most common form of the condition and affects roughly eight per cent of male rugby fans.
World Rugby's new initiative will affect future fixtures played between Six Nations rivals Wales and Ireland, who are known for playing in red and green, respectively.
Marc Douglas is a qualified engineer who serves as research turf and equipment manager for World Rugby, and he told i about the importance of engaging those supporters who struggle with colour blindness.
“From our perspective, if you’re potentially limiting 8 per cent of your male audience, that’s a huge huge number of people who are suddenly switching off."
By contrast, the number of women with the same ancestry affected by red-green colour blindness is approximately just 0.5 per cent.
The change will not only improve the experience for the thousands of fans who could be attending games or watching from home, but it will also aid those players who are colour blind.
Colour Blind Awareness founder Kathryn Albany-Ward said Euro 2020 was “really good for colour blind people” and raising awareness, but World Rugby is taking action to alter its laws and effect change.
“Hopefully by the time Rugby World Cup 2027 comes round, this is the norm," added Douglas.
Do you think World Rugby should introduce its kit law change sooner than 2027? Let us know in the comments section.
“An awful lot of people don’t realise that they’re colour blind because they see what they see day to day and they don’t know that people see any different.”
“We’ve identified quite a few areas that we can be much better at.”
There's a hope that by implementing the change at World Cup level, rugby union may come to adopt the policy at all levels and improve the experience for every colour blind participant.
Fixtures between Wales and Ireland in particular will soon look a lot different, with at least one of those teams to adopt an alternative strip as a means to avoid clashing.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont is colour blind, and he spoke positively regarding the moves being made to accommodate those around the sport who have the condition.
“Colour blindness is largely misunderstood and the challenges for those who play, coach, officiate and support our sport is often overlooked," he said.
"As someone who experiences those challenges first hand, I am delighted that World Rugby have launched comprehensive guidance for all levels of the game that place visually-impaired considerations at the heart of our decision-making.
"Through this guidance, we hope to raise awareness and change culture through positive actions.”
