Rugby World Cup 2015 Uses Jonny Wilkinson Lookalike to Advise Fans to ‘Buy Official’

New ‘buy official’ video launched to encourage fans to buy tickets, hospitality, merchandise and supporter tours only from official sources

The film uses a Jonny Wilkinson lookalike to show it’s not always easy to spot a fake Jonny Wilkinson is an official ambassador for England Rugby 2015

General ticket sales for RWC 2015 began on September 12

City of London Police supporting the campaign.

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) and tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 Limited have launched a new global video to encourage fans to buy tickets, hospitality, supporter tours and merchandise only from official sources.

The video features a Jonny Wilkinson lookalike practising his place-kicking under floodlights. At the point at which he strikes the ball it becomes clear that he is in fact a fake. A strapline appears which says “it’s not always easy to spot a fake”.

The new video is the latest addition to the worldwide campaign to urge fans to ‘buy official’ to ensure they do not miss out.

By visiting www.rugbyworldcup.com/buyofficial fans can access a dedicated official checker that will enable them to verify whether their Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets, supporter tours or hospitality source are official, a first for Rugby World Cup. This is accompanied by an official guide that provides advice on what to look for when buying RWC 2015 merchandise and also includes a list of official sources.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE RWC 2015 BUY OFFICIAL PAGE >>

With fans at the heart of the tournament, RWCL and England Rugby 2015 are working with the full support of the City of London Police, the leading force on fraud, in a comprehensive approach to inform, educate and protect fans.

RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “With a little less than one year to go until England 2015, we are looking ahead to what promises to be a very special celebration of the sport. Ensuring a superb experience for fans is our priority and we are advising everyone to ensure that they buy Rugby World Cup 2015 tickets, hospitality, supporter tours and merchandise from official sources only to avoid missing out.”

England Rugby 2015 CEO Debbie Jevans added: “With the general sale in full swing it is our priority to ensure that all fans have a fantastic experience in 2015 and part of achieving that is to make fans aware that they should only purchase tickets from official sources”