For the last 10 seasons the M&J teams have had to play in an off the shelf kit and not the traditional club colours of Cherry and White Hoops. Modern printing techniques now allow for smaller print runs and with the help of numerous sponsors, every team at Manchester now has a new kit and we can again look like one club. Each new kit has the words "contactus defection est" which is the clubs training and playing motto. It means "Contact is Failure" and was the mantra of one of the clubs legendary coaches, Ian Thompson, who helped developed and pioneered Manchester's style of play.

All the teams, who were at home, gathered in front of the new Carrs Foods banner which was erected a number of months ago and signals a three year sponsorship deal which will allow M&J at MRC to develop the next generation of talent. Manchester Rugby Club, founded as Manchester Football Club, was formed in 1860 and is one of the oldest clubs in the world and a founder member of the RFU. The club has a long list of players making it to the top grade of the game and currently boats the most number of Aviva Premiership Players than any other club in England. The Carrs sponsorship will allow us to further develop more coaches and our unique coaching program and philosophy.

Our thanks go out from all our players to all our sponsors for bringing the club back together under one kit and helping us to continue to develop top level talent.