Tom Hooper directs Vodafone Rugby World Cup ad starring Andy Farrell

Focusing on family values, the work from creative agency Wunderman Thompson explores the moment Farrell was encouraged to think of teammates as family members. The throwback scene sees his own father encourage him to adopt this mentality while driving him to a game in the 80s.

The spot finishes in the modern day with the same words ringing true to the players as they prepare to walk out on to the pitch for one of the most important matches of their lives.

Oscar-winning director Tom Hooper, known for his films The Kings Speech, Les Misérables and The Damned United, was behind the camera.

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Orla Nagle, head of brand at Vodafone Ireland, said: “Since the beginning of our partnership with the IRFU [Irish Rugby Football Union], we have seen the team take their performance to the next level. Through this advert, we wanted to celebrate that success and bring to life the team’s spirit by capturing its foundations, which are deeply rooted in reliability, dependability and what it means to be part of #TeamOfUs.”

The campaign will run across TV, cinema and out-of-home.

Karl Waters, creative partner at Folk Wunderman Thompson, added: “Andy Farrell has instilled a sense of family and reliability in the Irish camp. We wanted to get to the heart of where Andy learned this, going all the way back to Wigan in 1983. Reliability is of course the role Vodafone’s network plays with Irish families too”.

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