sports

Italy wears red shirts to honor Garibaldi

Italy will debut special red jerseys in their Six Nations clash with France, commemorating Giuseppe Garibaldi and his volunteer soldiers known as 'redshirts'.

The traditionally blue-clad Azzurri will sport a special scarlet kit at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, departing from their usual white change strips when color clashes occur. The new jerseys, entirely in 'Garibaldi Red,' honor the general who played a key role in Italy's 19th-century unification and his loyal followers.

The kits were unveiled near Genoa where Garibaldi launched his 'Expedition of the Thousand' in 1860. The Italian Rugby Federation explains the color represents heroism and indomitable spirit embodied by Italian athletes. Italy's women's team will also wear the special jersey against France as the two sides contest the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy.