JOE LAUNCHBURY BACKS COVENTRY BID

JOE LAUNCHBURY BACKS COVENTRY’S CITY OF CULTURE BID FOR 2021

England international and Wasps star Joe Launchbury could be the big star of the show – on and off the pitch this weekend.

The 24-year-old forward will be aiming to help steer Wasps to their third straight victory in this season’s European Rugby Champions Cup as they take on Bath Rugby at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday (December 13) at 5.15pm on the back of wins over Leinster and Toulon.

But the 6ft 6ins lock is also set to get social media buzzing around Coventry’s City of Culture bid for 2021.

A life-size cut-out of Launchbury has been produced ahead of the game holding an ‘I’m Backing The Bid’ poster and supporters are being encouraged to have their photo taken next to their hero and then post it on Twitter.

Martin Fallon, Marketing Manager of Wasps, said: “The City of Culture bid is massive for Coventry and we are looking into as many ways as possible of getting behind it.

“The bid is running a great campaign on Twitter where local people, businesses and groups are posting images of themselves holding the ‘backing the bid’ poster. Now, anyone attending a Wasps game can do the same and they’ll even have a life-size version of Joe to pose with!”

David Burbidge, chair of the City of Culture steering group, said: “The bid is for everyone in the city and this Twitter campaign is an opportunity for everyone to get behind it on social media.

“To have such a high-profile Wasps and England player lending their image in this way is great news and we hope to see plenty of pictures on Twitter at the weekend!”

The cut-out will be situated in the concourse in the Fan Village Stand for anyone wishing to pose for a photo with Joe Launchbury’s life-size cut-out.

Tickets for the European match against Bath Rugby are available from £15 for adults and there are some under-10s tickets for free from www.wasps.co.uk or by ringing 024 7678 6411.