The launch of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations took place in London yesterday in front of an international media corps. With none of the competing nations having made it to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup in October there were bound to be personnel changes and so that proved with new coaches for France and England and new captains for three as well, including Ireland with Rory Best.
Ulster Bank will run activation of the tournament sponsorship for the three matches at the Aviva Stadium, starting with the visit of Wales on Sunday, February 7th.
Means of connecting to customers will likely echo those of RBS in the UK where tours of dressing rooms, carrying of flags and presentation of Man of the Match Awards will be part of the behind the scenes experience being utilised by the bank.
It was great to see Irish captains holding onto both the tournament trophies with Niamh Briggs joining Rory Best at the top table.
Ireland’s Women’s team will play their home games at Donnybrook Stadium for the first time this year and are deserving of a big turn out when they get the campaign under way on Saturday, February 6th.
“Hard work I think has got us to this level, and of course good coaches as well as a bit of luck too,” said Briggs.
“We’ve been so fortunate to have good coaching over the last couple of years and new structures have been put in place for younger girls to start playing the game.”
“When you start to win tournaments and put yourselves out there, more and more girls want to start getting involved in that movement.”
“For years when Ireland were getting hammered it was difficult to put the game out there, but winning is putting that buzz out there.”
Image Credit: Inpho.ie / James Crombie
