On Wednesday 24th November the International Rugby Board (IRB) announced Land Rover as an Official Sponsor of the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and Worldwide Partner of the 2015 World Cup in England. The announcement marks a major development of the British brand’s involvement with the sport and will include significant investment in programmes aimed at developing young rugby talent both at grassroots and World Class levels.
Former England International and Rugby World Cup winner in 2003, Josh Lewsey, was joined today by former international players, Percy Montgomerie (South Africa) and Zinzan Brooke (New Zealand) to comment on the announcement and indulge in a bit of friendly pre-World Cup competition on Land Rover’s off-road driving course in Surrey.
The IOC’s decision to include Rugby 7s in the Olympic Games from 2016 is expected to have a major impact on the international growth of the sport, especially in emerging markets such as America, China and Asia.
