As with the home kit, the alternate is packed with references to the colours, symbols and traditions of Scottish rugby and is made from Eco-Fabric, a 100% polyester fabric obtained from recycled plastic.

The alternate shirt leads with purple, a colour synonymous with the country’s heather-laden hills and thistle flowers.

The design of the shirt, which has a navy blue polo neck, is identical to that of the home garment. The sleeve cuffs are also in navy blue, with a thin purple line in the centre. The backneck is customised with the same graphics as the sleeves, in the form of Scottish Rugby’s logo and #AsOne motto. The sweatband inside the neck is decorated with the word ‘SCOTLAND’ repeated at intervals and with the Scottish Rugby logo.

The Macron Hero and the badge of Scottish Rugby are embroidered in navy blue on the chest. On the shoulders and sleeves is a tone on tone, embossed graphic featuring the head of the thistle. At the bottom of the shirt is the old Scottish Rugby logo, next to the year in which the organisation was formed – 1873. The shorts are navy blue with purple bands at the sides containing the same graphics as the sleeves and shoulders. The socks are in purple with a navy blue band at the top containing a thin purple line.

Julian Momen, Scottish Rugby’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We are thrilled with the alternate Scotland kit that Macron have designed for the season ahead, with a great deal of thought having gone into creating a striking shirt that really represents Scotland as a country.

“Having released our home kit a couple of weeks ago, the alternate version complements it extremely well and I’m sure players and supporters alike will really take to the emblematic colour scheme.”

The new Scottish kits are made from Eco-Armevo fabric with Eco-Boditex inserts, two lightweight, breathable and extremely tough materials. The kits are available from the Scottish Rugby Stores at the BT Murrayfield Stadium and in Queen Street, Glasgow. They can also be purchased online from shop.scottishrugby.org and in the SRU section of macron.com, and from authorised Macron dealers.