After the Ospreys wore the name of Morriston RFC on their jerseys in France last month, Pencoed RFC has today been confirmed as a “Worthy” partner for Saturday’s trip to Bordeaux.
- Ospreys to wear name of Pencoed RFC on their jersey when they play Bordeaux Begles at Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas on Saturday
- French law prohibits alcohol advertising/sponsorship at sports matches so Ospreys sponsor Worthington's, who usually have the spot on the shoulders, have handed it over to one of their key customers from the Ospreylian rugby community rather than just blank out their logo
- Wore the name of Morriston RFC on their jersey when they played Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin last month
It was announced in November that Worthington’s, a long-term commercial partner of the region, have handed over their slot on the back of the Ospreys jersey for the two European Rugby Champions Cup games in France this season due to restrictions in French advertising law surrounding alcohol companies.
The region’s players normally carry the Worthington’s logo across the shoulders of their match day jersey, but legislation in France prohibits alcohol companies from advertising during sports events.
Rather than blank out the logo for the matches, Worthington’s decided to honour the two leading rugby clubs in the region among their customers, recognising the importance of the relationships Worthington’s have with the rugby community of Ospreylia.
While Morriston were the first to be honoured when the Ospreys put up a valiant fight at Stade Marcel Michelin, securing two points against Clermont Auvergne, this weekend they will run out at Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas with the name of Pencoed RFC featuring on the kit in the same typeface as the Worthington’s logo.
Diane Rees, Regional Director of Molson Coors / Worthington's, said:
“We had a fantastic response to our gesture of handing over the sponsorship slot to local clubs. Morriston RFC were delighted to have received recognition of their efforts, while we’ve been inundated with enquiries from our other clubs as to who would be on the shirt this weekend.
“There are so many great clubs in the region who deserve a spot on the Ospreys shirt, but Pencoed are a truly ‘Worthy’ recipient. Not only are they a great customer of Worthington’s, they are a true community club with a proud and lengthy history of achievement. I’m sure everyone at the club will be as thrilled to see their name on the Ospreys shirt this Saturday as everybody at Morriston was.”
Pencoed can count a host of familiar names who have proudly worn their shirt, including Lions, Wales caps and Ospreys, such as Scott Gibbs and Gavin Henson, not to mention current Ospreys Sales Manager, Wayne Hall.
Yarnie Guthrie, Ospreys Commercial Manager, added:
“After the reaction to Morriston RFC featuring on the shirt in Clermont, we have another “Worthy” club featuring on the jersey in Bordeaux. No doubt, everyone at Pencoed will take immense pride in seeing the club represented on our shirt in France.
“It’s thanks to Worthington’s, a fantastic partner of the Ospreys since day one, that we’ve been able to pay tribute to both Pencoed and Morriston in this way.”