Leeds Rugby Foundation Trustee and Rhinos legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan may have been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup, but in true Jamie-Jones fashion, he is urging all supporters to play their part and help his international team mates win the ultimate Rugby League prize.
Jones-Buchanan was ruled out of Steve McNamara's England squad by knee surgery at the end of the domestic season but he has now issued a rallying call to all Rhinos fans to get to the Opening Ceremony on Saturday 26th October and support Kevin Sinfield and the England team in their first pool game against the old enemy from Australia at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Leeds Rhinos are offering return coach travel and tickets for the game from £35 departing from Headingley Carnegie Stadium at 7am and returning after the two games on the opening day as England take on Australia followed by Wales versus Italy.
Commenting on the trip, Trustee of the LRF, Jones-Buchanan said: "I am desperately disappointed to be missing out on the World Cup having trained all season with the England squad and hoped to be there to play my part on the field.
"The Opening ceremony will be a historic occasion and I will be going with my family to enjoy the experience and be part of it. I also want as many LRF and Rhinos fans as possible to make the effort and support the England boys too.
"We all remember the feeling last year around the Olympics in this country and now this is a chance for the Rugby League community to really get involved in promoting our sport as well as giving the team a massive lift for the opening game. We know our fans are the best around and now we have the chance to prove it on a global stage by turning up and supporting England and our game. If we can get a bumper crowd there and Kev and the lads do the business on the field, it would be a huge boost not just to the tournament but to our game as a whole."
As part of the promotion with Jamie Jones-Buchanan, the Rhinos are subsidising coach travel to the Millennium Stadium. Fans can chose between two price categories for the tickets or just book travel only. Jones-Buchanan will be at Headingley Carnegie on the morning to wave the coaches off before heading down to Millennium Stadium himself where he will be working as part of BBC Five Live's coverage of the Opening Ceremony.
Rhinos Chief Executive and LRF Trustee Gary Hetherington said: "It is typical of Jamie to lead the charge and I hope as many of our fans as possible can join him. This offer is a good one and very affordable and it will make for a great day out.
"Every Rugby League fan really wants the World Cup to be a success but to make it so we all have and make an effort to attend the game and be supportive. The Opening Ceremony will be seen by millions and we need to make a good impression."
Rhinos and England captain Kevin Sinfield added: "I think this is a great initiative and hopefully fans from across West Yorkshire, including of course the Rhinos and LRF fans, can get behind it and get down to Cardiff for the opening ceremony."
The coach will depart from Headingley Carnegie Stadium at 7am – you will receive your travel tickets by post and you will receive your tickets when you board the coach.
The price for coach only is £30 (Adults) and £25 (Concessions*)
The opening Ceremony
Saturday 26th October
Opening ceremony starts 1.30pm – England v Australia (2.30pm) AND Wales v Italy (4.30pm)
The coach and ticket packages that are available are:-
Package A – Ticket (value £40/£20) and Coach
Adults £45
Concessions* £40
Package B – Ticket (value £20/£10) and Coach
Adults £35
Concessions* £30
Package C (Coach Only)
Adults £30
Concessions* £25
*Concessions = Juniors 16 & Under / Senior Citizens 65 and over / Students
The packages are available to purchase from Leeds Rhinos by coming down to the Leeds Rugby Retail Store, over the phone on 0871 423 1315 (calls are charged at 10p per minute – calls from mobiles may vary) or online at www.therhinos.co.uk.
If you just want to purchase tickets for the Opening Ceremoney please log onto www.rlwc2013.com/tickets or call 0844 8472013.