Ren-G: Official Rugby World Cup 2019 Mascots Launched

For immediate release

Issued on behalf of Rugby World Cup

Ren-G, the official mascots of Rugby World Cup 2019™ have been unveiled by the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee at a special event in Tokyo today.

The mascots, which are based on traditional storytelling characters grounded in ancient Japanese culture, are said to embody rugby’s values with the purpose of spreading the spirit of the game and happiness throughout Japan and around the world.

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The distinctive parent and child combination of Ren-G is set to be a big hit with fans, with mascots playing an important part in the sporting and entertainment culture in Japan, often attracting icon status.

And with strong demand for stadium and team ticket packs during the domestic rugby family application phase, the mascots will perform a central role in tournament and rugby marketing ahead of Asia's first Rugby World Cup.

Ren-G will travel the length and breadth of Japan connecting communities with the tournament, promoting rugby and communicating the sport’s values to the population.

Host city, school and legacy programme visits will be part of a nationwide programme, while the mascot will also be a central pillar of the licensing programme.

Japan Rugby Organising Committee CEO Akira Shimazu said: "Ren-G has a very Japanese feel to it. When it was decided that Japan would play host to the Rugby World Cup, which is a first for both Japan and Asia, it brought the five values of rugby – Integrity, Passion, Solidarity, Discipline, and Respect – together with the ancient spirit of Japan and our mascot was born.

"As Ren-G embodies the values of rugby, they will spread the spirit of rugby from Japan to Asia and to the rest of the world and will help us with building excitement towards Rugby World Cup 2019."

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont added: "We are delighted to welcome Ren-G to the Rugby World Cup family. It is fantastic to see rugby’s values and Japan’s traditions come together and we look forward to following their journey as they travel the length and breadth of the country sharing the spirit of rugby."

The Ren-G story

The concept of Ren-G is based on sacred, lion-like creatures from Japanese mythology called shishi that are said to bring happiness and ward off evil and are widely depicted throughout Japanese culture.

Ren, the father with white hair, and G, the red-headed son, embody the five values of rugby (integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect), their very purpose in life is to spread the spirit of rugby from Japan to Asia and to the rest of the world.

Their strong connection to the game is represented in their faces which take on the shape of a rugby ball. Their story is grounded in ideas of strength, courage, camaraderie and overcoming adversity.

Rugby World Cup 2019 team and stadium tickets applications launch globally

The mascot announcement comes the day before the global window for team and stadium ticketing packs opens (open 27 January (10:00 Japan time) to 12 February (23:59 Japan time) via the official ticketing website at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets.

Mastercard, as a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019, is offering those who apply for tickets using their Mastercard the chance to receive a double entry in the ticketing ballot for the opportunity to secure tickets to each of the matches they apply for.

Editors' notes:

About Rugby World Cup: Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan is the ninth edition of rugby's showcase global event and the first in Asia. The world's top 20 national teams will play in 48 matches hosted across 12 match cities for the right to lift the iconic Webb Ellis Cup and be crowned world champions. Rugby World Cup is the sport's financial engine, generating approximately 90 per cent of World Rugby's revenues for reinvestment in the global game over the four-year cycle. The record-breaking success of England 2015 is enabling World Rugby to invest £245.8 million in the sport by 2020, eclipsing the previous 2013-16 £201 million investment injection by 22 per cent. All the latest news can be found at www.rugbyworldcup.com and via @rugbyworldcup across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

DOMINIC RUMBLES

Head of Communications, World Rugby

T: +353-86-8520-826

E: dominic.rumbles@worldrugby.org

WorldRugby.org

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