Paris, France, Friday 8 September 2023: Last night, Defender launched its Rugby World Cup France 2023 campaign and Worldwide Partner status by staging an exclusive event to honour modern-day heroes who are changing the face of rugby through their determination, resilience and human spirit. The star-studded event was headlined by pioneering British rapper and actor Kano, who surprised guests by performing a secret set, featuring hits like Garage Skant and Can’t hold we down.
Picture credit: Getty Images, Dave Bennett
The Top Boy sensation, supported by French rapper Malo, wowed over 300 guests who included Rugby elite, Bryan Habana, along with Idris Elba, Queen Charlotte’s Arsema Thomas, Rizzle Kicks lead singer Jordan Stephens. Accompanied on stage by the Rugby World Cup 2023 Limited Edition Defender – exclusive to the French market – Kano’s performance provided guests with an audio-visual spectacle at the renowned Palais de Tokyo, a modern art gallery in the heart of Paris, providing the perfect backdrop for Defender with its reductionist industrial design.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: Arsema Thomas attends the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Defender campaign at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: Sabrina Elba and Idris Elba attend the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Defender campaign at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: Luke Newton and Arsema Thomas attend the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Defender campaign at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: Bryan Habana attends the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Defender campaign at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: (L to R) Christian Louboutin, Sabrina Elba and Idris Elba attend the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Defender campaign at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: Eli Brown attends the launch of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Defender campaign at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: Idris Elba and British rapper Kano celebrates the Defender launch event for Rugby World Cup 2023 at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 07: British rapper Kano celebrates the Defender launch event for Rugby World Cup 2023 at Palais De Tokyo on September 7, 2023 in Paris, France. Photo by Dave Benett for JLR
Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said:“Defender pushes boundaries and enables people to achieve the exceptional. The show we put on last night for Defender showcases our pride in being the Rugby World Cup 2023 Worldwide Partner. We celebrate inspirational individuals, our trailblazers who embrace the impossible with their incredible inner strength and unstoppable spirit.”
