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United by Rugby: World Cup winning legends Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson reunite to encourage reconnecting with friends

  • Over a third of Brits (37%) haven’t reconnected with someone important to them in more than five years 
  • Greene King is launching Fans Reunited, calling on the nation to reconnect with mates and meet up in person over a shared love of rugby
  • The pub company and brewer is inviting fans to reunite over sport, with a free pint on the house
  • Fronted by Six Nations legends Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson, the campaign brings friends and fans back together where friendships are made and maintained – at the pub

Ahead of the Guinness Six Nations kicking off this weekend, Rugby World Cup winners Martin Johnson and Jason Robinson have united to encourage the nation to rekindle relationships, past and present, during the tournament.

As part of its new ‘Fans Reunited’ campaign, Greene King is giving customers the opportunity to reconnect with pals by watching a Six Nations match at one of their pubs – and those that do, will be offered a pint on the house*. 

It follows new research by the pub company and brewer that reveals that, as a nation, we’re not the best at tackling the relationships that fall by the wayside.  Over half of Brits (58%) regret losing touch with people who once played an important role in their lives, with school friends being the most commonly lost connection.

Despite an increasingly online world, the research also found that those  aged 35-44 are more likely to keep in touch with their friends in person than they are to message in a group chat (57% v 50%). Meanwhile, busy schedules are Brits’ top excuse for not reaching out (34%), while awkwardness (30%) and drifting interests (25%) leave many unsure how to reconnect.

As a nation, sport is one of our greatest unifiers, and many of our strongest friendships are forged through shared sporting moments. Nearly a third of people (30%) say their friendships played a key role in sparking their love of sport, while over a quarter (28%) say it brings back fond memories of time spent together. People aged 35–44 are the most likely (39%) to say that sport makes reconnecting easier, as it revives shared memories and experiences. 

With three in ten (31%) Brits saying that unifying sporting moments provide the best reason to reach out to someone they’ve lost touch with, Greene King is urging fans to use the Guinness Six Nations as the ultimate excuse to reconnect.

When it comes to where those reunions happen, the pub stands out as one of the UK’s top reunion hotspots, with almost a third of people (31%) choosing their local, rising to 36% among 45–54-year-olds.

Zoe Bowley, Managing Director for Greene King pubs, said: “Fans Reunited celebrates the unique role that sport, and the pub atmosphere, plays in bringing people together. By launching alongside the Guinness Six Nations and offering reunited fans a free pint on us, we want to spark those moments where old friends reconnect over a pint. Just like the rugby legends joining us, we hope this encourages people to reach out to someone from their past, whether it’s an old coach, teammate, or school friend - and share the joy of the game together.”

Martin Johnson said: “Rugby has a unique way of bringing people together. Friendships formed through sport are unbreakable, and the ones that endure last a lifetime - exactly what Greene King’s Fans Reunited campaign celebrates. Combined with the atmosphere of the pub, it takes the experience to the next level. It’s not just about the game; it’s about creating moments that reconnect old friends and strengthen the sense of community that makes rugby, and Fans Reunited, so special.”

To claim their free pint, guests simply need to head to www.greeneking.co.uk//fansreunited  and make a booking for any Six Nations game on Saturday 7 February. Show confirmation of booking at the bar to redeem. Available at all Greene King sports pubs including Flaming Grill, Hungry Horse and Belhaven pubs.

Pubgoers can also raise a pint to the season with Scrumdown, Greene King Brewery’s special-edition beer brewed to mark the excitement of the tournament and available in selected pubs. This 4.1% fresh golden ale combines tropical and citrus notes for a crisp, refreshing cask pint that’s made for match days and big moments alike.