This development arises from increasing pressure on Harlequins from Premier Rugby Ltd and ERC to produce both a home and away playing shirt which are in total contrast to each other. Therefore the unveiling of the new away shirt for the 2007/08 season will symbolize for the first time in over 150 years that the team will play in an away shirt in certain away fixtures.

Although this is likely to cause a stir amongst traditionalists, Harlequins have kept faith with the traditional quartered design and the new away shirt incorporates white, magenta and light blue quarters.

Harlequins play in the most recognisable Club shirt in the world and as such KooGa, Quins Official Kit Supplier, have kept the traditional quartered style at the forefront of its new design for both shirts, which include moisture management capabilities married to resilient construction methods.

<2R>The new shirt construction also replaces previous embroideries and transfers with a sublimated printing process, dramatically improving the breathability and strength of the shirt. A point of difference between the playing and replica shirts is that only the playing shirt is sublimated whereas the replica is still embroidered, thus ensuring its quality as a leisure shirt.

Mark Evans, Harlequins Chief Executive, said: "We are extremely pleased with the new look designs for both the home and away playing shirts. The away shirt represents the first time in the Club's history that the team will play in an away shirt. The home shirt looks fantastic as well, so everybody is really looking forward to seeing the players running onto the pitch in both strips when the season gets started."

Bill Newton, KooGa Managing Director, said: "As one of our most prestigious contracts with many years of great history and tradition behind the Club, KooGa are delighted and proud to be the brand that produces the new Harlequins shirt combining all that is technical and modern in construction and fabric yet still retaining the world renowned image that is 'Harlequins'."

*NB - Replica home and away playing shirts will be available to buy in the Quins Merchandise stores from the start of the 2007/08 season.