Castore announces kit deal with Manu Samoa up to 2023 World Cup

Premium sportswear brand Castore has teamed up with Manu Samoa as the new kit supplier to the Samoan national rugby union team, taking them through to the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

The partnership will see Castore become the national team's official apparel supplier for 2022 and 2023, outfitting both Manu Samoa fifteens, sevens, and Women’s Manusina Teams.

The Sir Andy Murray-backed British brand will showcase its new apparel range at Twickenham, 27 November when Samoa take on the Barbarians for the Killik Cup.

Vincent Fepuleai, CEO Lakapi Samoa said: "To compete with the best in the world, you need to partner with the best in the world. The partnership with Castore means a lot to Lakapi Samoa.

"We have a strong team and with the elite sport market in the Southern Hemisphere, we’re ready to make our mark on the global stage. I am excited that we are partnering with Castore on a journey which takes us to the Rugby World Cup in France."

Designed in collaboration with the Manu Samoa high-performance team and Castore’s design team, the jersey incorporates the heritage of Samoa and the Tatau, the traditional Samoan tattoo throughout its designs and garment selection, using leading technology.

Tataus from players within the team have been included in the kit designs, forging them together as one to be shared with the aiga and Samoa supporters, through the Manu Samoa Castore merchandise range.

Pascal Lafitte, Director of Partnerships for Castore Sportswear said: "We are delighted to welcome Lakapi Samoa to the Castore team. The Rugby World Cup in 2023 presents an unrivalled opportunity to showcase the high performance of Castore sportswear and Manu Samoa at the pinnacle and best level of Rugby competition.

"Manu Samoa are the first national Rugby team to partner with Castore, building on our first professional Rugby Union team partnership with Saracens. We’re thrilled to join them on their journey to the Rugby World Cup, which will see the best athletes in Rugby compete."

This latest deal with Samoa follows a similar agreement with Saracens, who signed a five-year multimillion-pound deal in June this year. Castore also signed up football clubs Newcastle United FC, Rangers FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC as the brand continues to expand into a market dominated by a handful of global brands.

Castore has partnerships with a number of leading athletes, including Owen Farrell and Masters-winning golfer Patrick Reed, and recently signed a lucrative partnership with McLaren Formula 1.