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Land Rover and World Rugby go Above & Beyond as they head to France for Rugby World Cup 2023
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TOGETHER LAND ROVER AND WORLD RUGBY GO ABOVE & BEYOND FOR RUGBY WORLD CUP 2023

16 November 2021

Land Rover announces the Defenders of Tomorrow youth mascot programme as it is confirmed as the fifth Worldwide Partner

  • Above & Beyond – World Rugby and Land Rover join forces for the greatest game in the land as Land Rover continues as Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2023
  • Shared values – Passion, integrity, leadership play out between the partners as they head to France 2023
  • Positive impact – RWC 2023 will set new standards in social responsibility, inclusion and sustainability for a major rugby event
  • Platform for change – Land Rover ‘Defenders of Tomorrow’ ‑ youth mascot programme announced, giving young people a platform to demonstrate their support for building a better future
  • Committed – Land Rover has committed to support the tournament’s ambition to minimise its carbon emissions through its journey to full electrification 

Land Rover and World Rugby will together write the next chapter of their successful relationship as Land Rover was confirmed as the fifth Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.

To celebrate, Land Rover rugby ambassadors Dimitri Yachvili and Bryan Habana were joined by Land Rover’s first child mascot for the tournament, eight year old Arthur from Paris. 

Since becoming a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup in 2015, Land Rover has inspired thousands of children from all over the world through its extensive grassroots activities and Rugby World Cup mascot programme, allowing young rugby fans to join the team captains on the pitch ahead of every match. 

Reflecting the joint commitment of Land Rover and World Rugby to a more sustainable future, the Rugby World Cup 2023 mascots will be known as ‘Land Rover Defenders of Tomorrow’ and will form a key element of the global Land Rover campaign. They will be selected for their passion and commitment to changing their world for the better.

Arthur was selected through Land Rover France’s long‑term partnership with France’s Top 14 competition. He plays rugby for Racing club Asnières (sur Seine) near Paris.

Arthur said: “I am really excited to be the first Land Rover Defender of Tomorrow. I can’t wait for the Rugby World Cup 2023 to be in France, and to tell all of my friends at my rugby club that I am going to be on the pitch!”

Land Rover and World Rugby go Above & Beyond as they head to France for Rugby World Cup 2023

Land Rover and World Rugby go Above & Beyond as they head to France for Rugby World Cup 2023

Land Rover is a true partner of rugby at all levels, and we are delighted to be extending our worldwide partnership for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France. As a tournament and a rugby family, we are committed to making a positive impact in France and more widely for our planet for future generations to enjoy.

Our worldwide partnerships with Land Rover have always been purpose‑driven. In Japan, their active support of the Impact Beyond programme saw 10,000 children introduced to the sport. We are excited to share the same vision and commitment for France 2023 and look forward to working together to drive change for the future.

Sir Bill Beaumont
World Rugby Chairman

Land Rover has been at the heart of rugby for two decades. As we write this next chapter, we share France 2023’s commitment to making a positive difference on society through rugby. The next three years represent a significant time for Land Rover as we journey towards electrification and Rugby World Cup will play an important part in that.

Lennard Hoornik
Chief Commercial Officer at Land Rover

We’ve long celebrated our shared values with the rugby community including passion, integrity and our commitment to go above & beyond. Rugby World Cup 2023 offers even more opportunity to demonstrate the power of rugby, with the players acting as inspirational role models for future generations.

Gerry McGovern
Chief Creative Officer at Land Rover

DEFENDERS OF TOMORROW

More information about the Land Rover Defenders of Tomorrow programme will be announced in Spring 2022.

Further information

Notes to Editors

About World Rugby

World Rugby is an international federation and a global movement comprising more than 500 million fans and 10 million players within 128 national member federations affiliated through six regional associations.

Located in Dublin, Ireland, World Rugby’s purpose is to grow rugby by making it more relevant and accessible, with a vision of a global sport for all, true to its values. The driving force behind the sport’s significant growth has been World Rugby’s portfolio of major events, from the flagship men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and U20 Championship, that celebrates the future stars of the sport, to the excitement of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series which are instrumental in attracting new fans.

The financial success of the men’s Rugby World Cup enables World Rugby to invest record sums in the development and growth of the sport from the playground to the podium, ensuring that the sport is as accessible and enjoyable for as many people as possible. Between 2020‑23, the international federation will invest more than £565 million in the sport, representing a 22 per cent uplift on the previous four‑year business cycle. www.world.rugby/vision  

 

About Land Rover

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, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 100 countries.

 

About Rugby World Cup 2023

Rugby World Cup 2023 will take place in France from 8 September ‑ 28 October with matches played in nine venues across 10 host cities. The tournament will be the 10th men’s Rugby World Cup and the second to be hosted by France after a memorable event in 2007.

RWC 2023 will take place in a year when the sport celebrates 200 years since Rugby School pupil William Webb Ellis was credited with inventing the game of rugby football by showing “a fine disregard for the rules” in catching the ball and running with it in 1823.

RWC 2023 will set new standards in social responsibility, inclusion and sustainability for a major rugby event, targeting four key pillars for the tournament’s legacy: acting for sustainability and circular economy, supporting education, training and employment, respecting and protecting the environment and promoting inclusivity by being a champion for gender equality.

The showpiece event in men’s 15s, Rugby World Cup 2023 will feature 20 teams – 12 of whom qualified directly by finishing in the top three in their pool at Japan 2019 and eight from a global qualification process – with 48 matches played across 51 days.

 

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