Rugby World Cup gives H2 high hopes
04/09/2007
H2, a small French sports brand, launched after owner, Marc Alloin quit the logistics business, is using the Rugby World Cup as a launch-pad for its rugby boots and shirts.
Mr Alloin claims that 80% of rugby players now take to the field wearing soccer boots and, while he has no plans to unseat dominant suppliers such as adidas, Nike and Canterbury (see WSA magazine, August-September), he does harbour hope that specialist rugby boots can become popular again.
His negotiations so far have won H2 the right to be the official supplier of the national team of Georgia.
Some rugby clubs in France, including Montpellier and Narbonne, are also beginning to use H2 equipment.
Boosted by this exposure, the new brand will go on sale at around 50 sports outlets in France this month, run by the chains Intersport, Twinner and Sport 2000.
