We wouldn’t usually look to fashion for intimidation tactics. But while the New Zealand team has the Haka and England has Maro Itoje’s tackle tekkers, the international style squad has Alessandro Michele’s vaguely threatening Gucci shirt with ‘Thanatos’ emblazoned across the shoulders. Thanatos is the Greek god of death. How’s that for cross-cultural referencing? As the world prepares for the Rugby World Cup to kick off in Japan and take over every TV screen in the country from September 20th, the classic rugby shirt is the easiest way to get into the team spirit and score mid-season menswear points. Archive designs that feel like you’ve borrowed your dad’s school kit, preppy polos and varsity club colours are as timeless as the Gil Evans whistle – and you’ll get just as much use out of them. Two-tone horizontal stripes (or ‘hoops’) are brought to life with soft contrast collars and imaginative crests such as Drake’s Chinese tiger motif, Hackett’s vintage-style number patches and Kent & Curwen’s reimagining of the English rose.

Pink and pale blue shirt, £115, kentandcurwen.com

Black and yellow jersey, £160, rowingblazers.com

Red, white and blue jersey, £160, rowingblazers.com

Ecru and navy polo with crest, £112.50, drakes.com

Embroidered blue and white shirt, Gucci, £1,452, farfetch.com

Pink and blue vertical striped shirt, Adidas, £73, adidas.co.uk

Beige and red striped shirt, Kent & Curwen, £115, farfetch.com

Red and blue Thanatos shirt, Gucci, £820, farfetch.com

Blue and red jersey polo, £69, rmwilliams-store.co.uk