Visa unveils Rugby Legends to back World Cup deal

LONDON - Visa International, global sponsor of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, has revealed that five of the world's greatest rugby players, including former England captain Martin Johnson, will become the Visa Rugby Legends, who will appear in various brand marketing campaigns.

The other four players are Zinzan Brooke of New Zealand, John Eales of Australia, Philippe Sella of France and Joel Stransky of South Africa.

Visa renewed its decade-long Rugby World Cup partnership in November 2005, and is the official worldwide partner and official payment service of Rugby World Cup 2007.

Tom Shepard, executive vice-president international marketing at Visa, said: "These five rugby greats truly represent the passion and spirit of the game of rugby. They connect with fans everywhere who have witnessed their athletic skill, their ability to transcend the game, and their unique sportsmanship at the highest level of the sport -- the Rugby World Cup."

The Rugby World Cup sponsorship provides Visa with a major global marketing platform. As spokespersons for Visa, the Visa Rugby Legends will be visible in a number of Visa merchant and cardholder promotions.

Each of the legends will be featured in a number of promotional programmes, including advertisements and TV ads.

In addition, the Visa Rugby Legends will appear in a number of online activities in which rugby fans can take part.

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