British Airways invites rugby fans to name plane

British Airways is inviting fans of the British & Irish Lions rugby team to name the plane on which the squad will be jetting to South Africa next month.

Under the new initiative, a panel of judges including former Lions player Jeremy Guscott will rate entries on their creativity and relevance to the tour, which will see the team compete against the South African national team, as well as against a number of clubs and junior sides.

Guscott, who serves as an ambassador for British Airways, explained: "We're asking rugby fans to get behind the team and show their support by coming up with the most creative, fitting and inspiring name that will take their heroes to South Africa."

Participants have been advised to take inspiration from plane names of the past.

These include British Airways' Sweet Chariot, which flew the World Cup-winning England rugby side back from Australia in 2003, as well as the Pride aircraft, which carried Team GB back from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The Lions' first game in South Africa is scheduled to take place in Rustenburg on May 30th, with future matches being held in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and other cities.

Posted by Kate, 03 April 2009 18:01

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• Cape Town
• Johannesburg
• Durban
• British Airways