Land Rover Begins Selection Of Official Rugby World Cup 2015 Mascots

28 April 2015

Land Rover recently surprised 12 year old Ethan Hofton from Manchester with the news that he was one of the first Rugby World Cup 2015 official mascots to be selected.

  • Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2015 and is supplying all 96 mascots for every fixture during this year's Tournament.
  • Majority of Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots to be selected from the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup.
  • Stockport Rugby Club player, Ethan Hofton, was one of the first of Land Rover's Rugby World Cup 2015 mascots to be selected
  • Land Rover to offer two mascot places to the public during the Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham on May 30th

Whitley, UK, 28thApril, 2015. Land Rover recently surprised 12 year old Ethan Hofton from Manchester with the news that he was one of the first Rugby World Cup 2015 official mascots to be selected.  

Land Rover is recruiting all 96 mascots for the Tournament, with the majority of these coming from the UK, through the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup; a series of national grassroots rugby festivals run in conjunction with all 12 Premiership Rugby clubs.

Ethan, who plays rugby for Stockport Rugby Club, was selected following his audition to be a Rugby World Cup 2015 mascot at the Sale Sharks Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup in which he offered the following advice to the nation's captains; "If you lose, at least you got second place!"

Land Rover along with Sale Sharks captain Dan Braid and team mates surprised Ethan with the news during his science lesson at King David's High School to the shock and awe of his classmates.

Commenting on the moment he found out, Ethan said:  "It was a big surprise when the players walked in with my P.E. teacher so I initially thought I was in trouble: When I found out that I had won the chance to be a mascot I was over the moon and I can't wait to see what game I will be a part of."

World Cup Winners Lewis Moody and Jason Robinson will be reviewing auditions from the 12 Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup festivals, with the winning mascots judged on a number of criteria including how well they deliver their audition, their passion, enthusiasm and originality.

Like Ethan, a selection of mascots selected through the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup will be surprised with the news, although all successful mascots will be informed by Land Rover in the coming months.

There is still a chance for young rugby players and fans to get involved as Land Rover is going to be auditioning youngsters pre‑match at the Premiership Rugby Final, Twickenham on May 30th. Auditions will be open to members of the public and held outside the stadium in the South Car Park, with no tickets to the Premiership Rugby Final required to take part.

ENDS

For further information log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:

Michael White
Fast Track (Land Rovers Sponsorship Agency)
T: 0207 593 7229
M: 07552 289 239
E: michael.white@fasttrackagency.com

Jessica Rumboll
Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 564 258
M: 07880 177 300
E: jrumboll@landrover.com

Editors Note:

‑         Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.

‑         Land Rover is recruiting all 96 Rugby World Cup 2015 official mascots as part of its 'We Deal In Real', campaign. For your chance to get involved, Land Rover will be holding mascot auditions at the Premiership Rugby Final, on May 30th in the South Car Park of Twickenham. www.landrover.co.uk/mascots  @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal