World Rugby unveil Dove Men + Care as official grooming supplier for 2015 World Cup

Dove Men + Care have been unveiled as the official grooming supplier for the 2015 Rugby World Cup ©World Rugby

World Rugby have announced skincare company Dove Men + Care as the official male grooming supplier for this year’s Rugby World Cup in England.

The deal will see Dove provide players at the tournament, which runs from September 18 to October 31, with over 5,000 products such as deodorants and shower gels.

Major retailers are set to offer customers the chance to win tickets for the eagerly-anticipated event and fans can also enter competitions through the brand’s social media channel.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Dove Men+Care to Rugby World Cup’s growing family of major global commercial partners,” World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said.

“The appointment of another brand sector leader with a passion for rugby to our record-breaking commercial programme is great news for the sport and further underscores the strength of the Rugby World Cup brand in the global sponsorship marketplace.

“With a little over 100 days to go until England 2015 kicks off, the stage is set for a very special, biggest and indeed best-ever Rugby World Cup that will reach, engage and inspire more audiences than any previous edition.”

The new partnership adds to the strong commercial arm of the Rugby World Cup, and companies such as Heineken, Land Rover, Société Générale, DHL, Emirates and MasterCard are all worldwide sponsors.

Dove Men + Care become the latest major company to be associated with the eagerly-anticipated Rugby World Cup in England ©World Rugby

Coca-Cola, Canon and Toshiba are the tournament’s official sponsors, while agreements have also been reached with Canterbury of New Zealand as official sportswear supplier, Clifford Chance as official law firm, EY as business advisor, and ESP as master licensee.

“The addition of one of the world's most prestigious major sporting events to our sponsorship portfolio is extremely exciting for both Dove Men+Care and Unilever as a whole,” Callum Galloway, Dove Men+Care brand manager, said.

“Having established our commitment to rugby over the last few years, this partnership with Rugby World Cup 2015 is a natural extension of our existing relationships with the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh Rugby Unions.

“We very much look forward to the next few months and an association that will widen our exposure to consumers through a full digital and social engagement programme, including ticket-win opportunities while offering deodorants and shower gels to all 620 participating players.”