Victoria Cross and George Cross Association back new England rugby shirt

The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association has given its backing to a controversial new England Rugby shirt which incorporates the Victoria Cross emblem.

The Rugby Football Union apologised on Wednesday "to those who may have taken offence" over new Canterbury-manufactured shirts - the traditional white jersey and a crimson alternate shirt - featuring Victoria Cross motifs that comprise numerous small rubber grips to help deaden the impact of the ball.

Strong links have always existed between the game of rugby and the military. The RFU's core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship sit well with the military's core values of loyalty, integrity, courage, discipline, respect and selfless commitment.

Victoria Cross Trust chairman Gary Stapleton criticised the RFU for having had no contact with the organisation over using the emblem, claiming it had "touched a raw nerve with a lot of people".

The Victoria Cross, the British and Commonwealth armed forces' most prestigious medal, has only been awarded 1,354 times during its 158-year existence, most recently in 2012.

But the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, which was established 52 years ago, has now issued a statement saying it is "pleased" the motif has been used.

"Although the Association was not previously aware of the RFU's decision to incorporate the motif, following discussions between the Association and the RFU (and taking account of the statement issued by the RFU) it is clear that the RFU did not intend to cause any offence," Association chairman-elect Major Peter Norton GC said.

Core values

"Strong links have always existed between the game of rugby and the military. The RFU's core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship sit well with the military's core values of loyalty, integrity, courage, discipline, respect and selfless commitment.

"Given that we, as a nation, are now commemorating the centenary of the First World War, and the sacrifices made by so many during that period, the Association feels that the RFU's decision to incorporate a Victoria Cross-inspired motif within the design of the new England shirt is a subtle, and fitting, mark of respect for those who went above and beyond.

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"We wish to thank the RFU for this, and for their continued support for the Armed Forces, past, present and future."

England head coach Stuart Lancaster has drawn heavily on England's rich rugby history to instil a stronger sense of national pride throughout his tenure.

Lancaster created the Arthur Harrison Award, where England coaches select a winner after every match for the player producing the best defensive performance.

Harrison is England's only rugby international to be awarded the Victoria Cross, bestowed posthumously after he lost his life in the Zeebrugge raid of April 1918 in the First World War.

England Sevens also launched shirts earlier this year bearing crosses inspired by the George Cross military medal.