Ahead of the Women’s Six Nations resuming this weekend, Guinness have teamed up with Ireland star Sene Naoupu and Ireland men’s legend Brian O’Driscoll to announce a partnership with Canterbury, Intersport Elverys and the IRFU.
The link-up coincides with the launch of the newly-released Ireland Women’s team jerseys across its retail sites, the Guinness Webstore and Guinness Open Gate Brewery. The jerseys will be available for fans to purchase from the visitor sites and Elverys.ie while stocks last.
As a proud partner of the IRFU and Official Partner to the Women’s Six Nations, Guinness is stocking the jerseys in its visitor venues to encourage further support for the Irish team, and contribute to the IRFU’s Women in Rugby Action Plan, which details the IRFU’s continued commitment to growing the game. A key component to achieving this ambition is visibility of women’s rugby.
As part of Guinness’ commitment to generate further visibility for the Ireland team, as well as making the jersey available to purchase in Guinness retail sites, Guinness will roll out the gifting of framed and signed jerseys to select pubs across the country in the coming months. The women’s jerseys will stand proudly shoulder to shoulder alongside the men’s.
As announced back in January, before the 2020 Women’s Six Nations came to a halt, this year’s Championship will see the introduction of a Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship for the first time in history, supported by Guinness in collaboration with the Six Nations.
This is the latest commitment shown by Guinness in support of women’s rugby, on the back of last year’s support of the Liberty Fields advert and documentary, reaffirming Guinness’ support as Official Partner to the Women’s Six Nations.
Ireland will resume their Women’s Six Nations campaign when they welcome Italy to Energia Park on Saturday for the postponed Round 4 clash and will conclude their campaign away to France in Le Stadium (Nord Lille Metropole) the following Sunday.
Naoupu has started all three of Ireland’s games in the 2020 Women’s Six Nations so far – victories over Scotland and Wales, as well as he defeat to England – and believes the partnership with Guinness can only be a good thing.
“In order to grow women’s sport, visibility is key,” she said. “As a current player, myself and my teammates see the importance of this, be it increased media coverage, showing our games on RTÉ or as Guinness is doing, giving fans the opportunity to show their allegiance and feel closer to the women’s rugby team, by proudly wearing our jerseys.
“These steps to ensure the women’s game is seen has a hugely positive impact on all of us players, giving us an extra boost of support when we need it most and it has the knock on effect of encouraging higher attendance at matches, when possible and increased uptake of the game amongst women throughout the country.
“It’s wonderful to have the continued support of Guinness, who is a firm advocate for equality in the women’s game.”
And O’Driscoll is equally invested in the promotion of the women’s game, adding: “As a father of a daughter, the importance of strong female sporting role models cannot be underestimated – women in sport have to be seen.
“With fans currently unable to attend matches, we all need to work together, now more than ever, to support the Ireland Women’s team.
“The Guinness initiatives that are driving this female support are very welcomed, in particular the gifting of the new women’s jersey to select pubs across the country and Guinness visitor venues stocking the jersey. These are great ways to get further visibility for women’s rugby as a whole.”
