England unveil controversial '1871' strip Inspired by a painting from that year called Battle of the Roses: Yorkshire v Lancashire that ordains the President's Suite at Twickenham, the change number from kit makers Canterbury will bring back bad memories for fans. They try not to think about the black kit from the 2011 World Cup that failed to inspire England either on the field (knocked out in the quarter-finals by France) or off it (various scandals). The purple change kit for the 2009 autumn series was even worse - consigned to the dustbin after a defeat to Australia. At least it has some way to go to beat the Stade Français 'pretty in pink' shocker.