Rugby World Cup Limited has appointed Clifford Chance as the Official Law Firm of Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.
One of the world’s foremost law firms with a strong heritage in sport, Clifford Chance will provide the full range of legal services for the tournament, which kicks off in exactly two years time on September 18, 2015 when hosts England take on the Oceania 1 qualifier at Twickenham.
The announcement reunites Clifford Chance with Rugby World Cup after it successfully performed the role for the record-breaking France 2007 and furthers the law firm’s strong association with sport, including leading in the key advisory area of sports finance and acquisitions.
RWCL Managing Director Brett Gosper made the announcement at Clifford Chance’s headquarters in London today: “Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted to welcome Clifford Chance as the Official Law Firm for England 2015, reuniting a successful partnership between a global leader in the sports law arena and the world’s third-largest sports event. It is a natural fit.”
“The appointment of an Official Law Firm is an important element in the delivery of a major global sports event. Clifford Chance has considerable experience and expertise across the legal spectrum, in particular in sports law and Rugby World Cup matters, and we look forward to continuing a strong and effective relationship with the firm in the coming years.”
“This announcement is the first of a number of exciting commercial and broadcast announcements in the coming weeks that will underscore the strength of the Rugby World Cup brand in the global market place and trust in a values-driven sport.”
Clifford Chance Partner Daniel Sandelson added: “Our expertise in advising on major sporting events and ability to mobilise a team of lawyers across the full legal spectrum positioned the firm to win this prestigious mandate. We are excited to be renewing our working relationship with Rugby World Cup Limited, contributing towards the commercial success of a tournament that goes from strength to strength.”
RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset added: “Rugby World Cup 2015 is on course to be a wonderful tournament. Planning and preparation is ahead of schedule, the match schedule has been announced and we can look forward to a sporting and cultural celebration that will reach out, engage and inspire new and existing fans the length and breadth of the country and around the world, furthering the development and growth of a sport that is currently played by more than 5.5 million men, women and children.”
The announcement follows the appointment of Heineken, Land Rover and Societe Generale as Rugby World Cup 2015 worldwide partners, Gilbert as official ball supplier and Canterbury of New Zealand as official sportwear supplier.
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About Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup is the financial engine behind investment and growth in Rugby worldwide. The net Rugby World Cup surplus from France 2007 and New Zealand 2011 has enabled the International Rugby Board to invest more than £150 million in the Game between 2009-2012 to underwrite a range of major funding initiatives including annual national Union grants and Strategic Investments focusing on growing participation and increasing competition across all 118 national Member Unions affiliated to the IRB.
