Land Rover task Warren Gatland with scouting out the most passionate grassroots rugby fans for British & Irish Lions tour
Land Rover has sent British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland on a scouting mission to identify the most passionate grassroots rugby players to reward them with a trip to New Zealand for the upcoming Lions tour.
Warren Gatland with the Whitton Lions RFC players
Land Rover’s latest campaign in its 20-year association with the Lions sees Gatland accompanied by former Lions players Brian O’Driscoll, Martin Johnson, Gavin Hastings and Sir Gareth Edwards as they surprise amateur clubs by showing up at training to pick out rugby fans who “embody the game’s values of resilience, integrity and passion”.
The first stop on the UK and Ireland tour saw Gatland surprise the players at the West London rugby club Whitton Lions RFC when he showed up with the former players during training.
“The values that make rugby unique are important to the Lions,” said Gatland. “At a grassroots level these values are just as apparent and coming down to see Whitton Lions train it is obvious there are some things that remain true no matter what level of rugby you are playing at.”
Land Rover ambassador and former British & Irish Lions winning captain Martin Johnson, added: “When you become a British & Irish Lion you realise that so many of the aspects that make rugby special and unique are heightened, and that the values you learnt playing grassroots rugby are just as relevant at the pinnacle of the game.
“We are not looking for the best players but for individuals who deserve their very own Lions experience to join this summer’s tour.”
Land Rover’s brand experience director of global marketing, Mark Cameron, said: “Land Rover shares a renowned rugby heritage with the British & Irish Lions and is proud to have supported them for more than 20 years.
“Through the continuation of our Rugby World Cup 2015 ‘We Deal in Real’ campaign, Land Rover is celebrating the game’s grassroots and rewarding those who give so much each week, with an unforgettable British & Irish Lions experience.”
A British & Irish Lions branded Land Rover vehicle was also unveiled at the Whitton Lions RFC event and will be used to tour the UK and Ireland to recruit entrants for Land Rover’s competition to win a trip to the first Test in New Zealand.