Nation’s Statues Back England With O2

O2, partner of England Rugby, launched a series of holographic projections across the country on Wednesday night to encourage fans to get behind the team ahead of Saturday’s first home game of the RBS 6 Nations against Italy.

Based in Bath, Coventry, Exeter, Gloucester, Leicester, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Northampton, each holographic projection was located in a club town or city for which a member of the England squad currently plays.

On match day, when England take on Italy, O2 will be giving out 20,000 rose corsages to encourage fans to show their support by wearing the rose, literally this time.

The giveaway will be taking place at the O2 Blueroom at Twickenham Stadium as well as major train stations in London and selected O2 stores across the country.

Gareth Griffiths, head of sports sponsorship at O2 said: “We’ve launched Wear the Rose at the start of an amazing year for O2 and England Rugby. We are calling upon the country to stand beside us, and get behind the England Rugby Team.

“To do that we need a symbol that represents the very heart of England, a symbol sewn onto the chest of every England Rugby shirt – the red rose. If you’re going to watch England play at Twickenham Stadium, down the pub with your mates, or even at home, show the power of your support – get your England Rugby shirt on, Wear the Rose.”

Stuart Lancaster, England head coach, who has often commented on the extra gains from the crowd, added: “The power of support can be the difference between victory and defeat. The support we get is fantastic and I’m sure that in this special year for rugby our fans can be that difference.

“As players and coaches we thrive on support, it can provide that extra 10% which in a game of small margins can be so important. We’re delighted O2 are bringing fans right to the heart of their campaign.”