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Mitsubishi Motors is scrumming down with legends of rugby union and rugby league for a hybrid match – and aims to raise thousands of pounds for charity at the same time.
The inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Hybrid Cup will see rugby union Gloucester Rugby Heroes take on legends of rugby league, Salford Red Devils Legends, at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester, on October 9. The game will involve regulations from both codes.
Both Gloucester Rugby Club and Salford Red Devils are sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors and the match is set to be the first in an annual series of hybrid games.
Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors UK, who will get the game underway by taking the kick-off, said:
“As we get more and more involved in supporting rugby at all levels across the UK we thought it would be a nice idea to set up a competition between some of the clubs we sponsor. Of course making this game a hybrid of both rugby codes fitted well with our Outlander PHEV being the best-selling hybrid electric vehicle in the UK.
“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the legends in action for the first Mitsubishi Motors Hybrid Cup, especially at such close quarters as I kick off the game. What makes it extra special is that both the kick off and the match will raise a lot of money for some fantastic causes.”
Stephen Vaughan, CEO Gloucester Rugby, is anticipating a “fantastic day with lots of great names on the hallowed turf of Kingsholm as part of our launch weekend for our 125 years at Kingsholm anniversary.”
Gloucester Rugby has nominated ‘Rugby for Heroes’ and the ‘Gloucester Rugby Community Charity’ as their causes, while the Red Devils have chosen ‘Rugby League Cares’ and the ‘Red Devils Foundation’, as their good causes.
Union players taking part will include Mike Tindall, James Simpson Daniel and Olivier Azam led by coach Jim Hamilton. The league team will include Adrian Morley, Sean Long, Kylie Leuluai and duel code star Iestyn Harris, coached by Ian Watson.
A number of Gloucester Rugby first team players will be cheering the teams on and will be available to meet fans before the match.
Former Gloucester and England player Mike Tindall, who is patron of Rugby for Heroes, said:
“Mitsubishi Motors is a perfect partner for this hybrid game. Guys in the military have to be tough and durable which provides an obvious parallel between this charity game and the Outlander PHEV. We are so pleased that Mitsubishi have supported us and, in doing so, helped to make this event happen.”
Former Salford Red Devils, England and Great Britain player Adrian Morley agreed:
“This match is going to be so special for a number of reasons, but to have the support of Mitsubishi Motors is the icing on the cake.”
The game is scheduled to kick off at 3pm.
Tickets will be on sale from 9am on Wednesday 24 August from the Gloucester Rugby ticket office gloucesterrugby.co.uk/ticketoffice
