Jimmy Griffin, a 23-year-old colour-blind rugby fan from Llanelli, has expressed frustration that Wales and Ireland will wear their traditional red and green jerseys in Saturday's Six Nations match, despite guidelines aimed at avoiding kit clashes. He believes a kit change would significantly help colour-blind viewers.
Red and green kits can be difficult to distinguish for the one in 12 men and one in 200 women worldwide who are colour blind. World Rugby has proposed new laws from 2027 requiring teams to change kit in the event of a colour clash, but current guidelines are not mandatory.
Mr Griffin, a devoted Wales and Scarlets supporter, said he recognises most players by their faces but struggles during kicks for touch or when new players are on the pitch. He added that it is particularly hard to identify players in rucks and mauls.
Kathryn Albany-Ward, founder of Colour Blind Awareness, said the organisation expects an 'avalanche of complaints' this year, noting that social media is often filled with angry colour-blind fans unable to follow the annual fixture.
A Welsh Rugby Union spokesman stated the union is committed to inclusivity and will assess World Rugby's comments during the next kit design cycle with partner Macron. The Irish Rugby Union also affirmed its commitment to inclusivity, noting it will gather more information from World Rugby during its current two-year kit cycle.
