There is just one week to go until the Six Nations gets back under way, but this time is different! We are reigning champions and on a 13 game winning streak and hopefully this will continue after the upset of the 2015 World Cup. However one thing that didn't upset was the marketing support for our boys.

Lucozade: Strictly Home Nations Only

Lucozade worked their magic on this fun campaign supporting the home nations using international players from 8 teams. 'The TV, digital and social campaign shows Lucozade Sport as the "secret weapon" of the home nation rugby teams and shows overseas rugby players trying to get hold of a bottle of the sweet stuff. It aimed to show the brand’s "playful side "with "camaraderie and banter" by banning the drink from visiting nations. Overseas players were seen going to great lengths to pretend to be British and Irish– including having elocution lessons and dressing up in a Scottish kilt.'* This campaign played on the fact that Lucozade weren't an official sponsor for the World Cup, so they made sure they stamped their mark by supporting the home nations and therefore a connection to the event itself.

Samsung: School Of Rugby

As a sponsor of the Rugby World Cup, Samsung got people excited about rugby by highlighting important rules and techniques needed to play the game. This educational method was interesting for not only those who already knew the game, but for those who might have had a few questions before the tournament started. They also used some familiar faces. Rugby legends Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio, Jason Robinson, Maggie Alphonsi and Jason Leonard alongside the wonderful Jack Whitehall. Along with the ad campaign, the masterclasses were featured on their own website and events were hosted with some of the England players themselves. 

O2: Wear The Rose - Make Them Giants

O2 symbolised the importance of supporters getting behind the team in their campaign. 'The year-long campaign gave fans the chance to tweet uplifting messages directly to the England Rugby team under the #WeartheRose tag, with O2 displaying tweets on digital billboards dotted throughout the country, including Waterloo Station and Twickenham.

O2 also took the Oculus Rift on tour to different cities and rugby clubs, offering fans a virtual reality sporting experience. It gave fans an insight into training with England’s elite player squad, and was available in dedicated O2 rooms during the Six Nations match days at Twickenham.' ** This allowed the buzz for the event to start even earlier than many probably predicted and also established a strong hashtag. Closer to the World Cup a TV advert was released, picturing the England Team as cartoons who grew taller and taller with the increase in support from around the country whilst on the way to Twickenham. Along with this they put on a concert at the O2 in London which allowed the fans to get to know the players a bit more, and see them sing along with Take That. 

So how will you #Weartherose?

*http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/1362550/lucozade-sport-says-its-home-nations-only-cheeky-rugby-world-cup-spot
**http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/1332836/o2-asks-england-rugby-fans-wear-rose-major-sponsorship-campaign