Whitley, UK, September 2^nd 2015: Today Land Rover announced its 20 official Global Mascots for Rugby World Cup 2015. The aim of this unique Mascot promotion is to champion Rugby's grassroots and highlight Land Rover's commitment to all levels of the Game as part of the #WEDEALINREAL Campaign.

As a Worldwide Partner of the Tournament, Land Rover has recruited a mascot from each of the competing nations, providing them with the chance to lead out their team at one of the 48 Rugby World Cup 2015 matches. Thousands of youngsters aged between 7‑13 years‑old applied for the programme by taking part in rugby challenges at grassroots events around the world. Challenges have ranged from singing their national anthem to giving team‑talks, with the best entries from each country selected for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Land Rover Ambassadors and Rugby World Cup winners Lewis Moody, John Smit, George Gregan and other stars past and present were all part of the mascot recruitment process. Former England captain Moody, who visited a number of the UK events, commented: "This is an unbelievable prize for children from all around the world and a great way for Land Rover to shine a spotlight on the grassroots level of the game. These mascots, and the travelling family members who support them, will get an incredible chance to be right at the heart of the action, for an experience they will never forget at Rugby World Cup 2015."

With a rich heritage in supporting rugby from grassroots competitions to elite tournaments and teams, Jaguar Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director Mark Cameron commented: "Land Rover is delighted to be giving these 20 youngsters the opportunity of a lifetime to become mascots at Rugby World Cup 2015, as part of our We Deal In Real campaign. Having been selected from each of the competing nations along with a number of home nation winners, we believe this will showcase the grassroots players who represent the true spirit of the game around the world."

The final Land Rover Global Mascot recruited was Namibian born Keathan Klazen. Eight year‑old Klazen was delighted to be selected and commented: "I'm a huge rugby fan and so can't wait to lead out the teams as a mascot at Rugby World Cup 2015. I'm really looking forward to meeting all my favourite players and hopefully one day will get the chance to pull on the kit myself and play in the Namibian national side."

‎The twenty Land Rover Global Mascots for Rugby World Cup 2015 are Dehan Pretorius (Australia), Lourdez Schillaci (Argentina), Gavin Cooke (Canada), Jackson Shilcock (England), Esther Nabou (Fiji), Idris Gonny (France), Lizi Tatulishvili (Georgia), Samuel Berney Treacey  (Ireland), Giusy Ambrosio (Italy), Shintaro Nakano (Japan), Keathan Klazen (Namibia), Jake Thorton (New Zealand), Mihai Alexandru Palez (Romania), Helen Thomson (Scotland), Tasi Grey (Somoa), Jason Breda (South Africa), William Tafolo (Tonga), Sebastian Zak (Uruguay), Abygail Maciel‑Lahann (USA) and Finlay Walker (Wales).

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ENDS