Tomorrow France and New Zealand’s national rugby teams go head-to-head for a test match at the Stade de France. Prior to kick-off, Louis Vuitton will take to the pitch to unveil the house’s newest piece of kit: the Official Trophy Travel Case of the Rugby World Cup France 2023. During the tournament, the bespoke case will hold and showcase the prestigious Webb Ellis Cup.

The news marks the latest chapter in Louis Vuitton’s longstanding relationship with sporting tournaments: the Parisian house previously designed the trophy case for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as the NBA Larry O’Brien Trophy, League of Legends, Formula 1’s Grand Prix de Monaco, Davis Cup, Roland Garros, and the America’s Cup.

This new case designed for the Rugby World Cup was hand-crafted by artisans in Vuitton’s historic workshops in Asnières, France, and built with the house’s meticulous savoir-faire. Cast in France’s blue, white and red, the exterior is decorated with LV monogram canvas, while the front panels feature a ‘V’ – for victory and Vuitton and the Roman numerals XV – 15 – are painted on the side of the case, representing the number of players in a rugby union team. The exterior is finished with lozine trimming and the same brass metal hardware that has been used on Louis Vuitton trunks since the 1860s. Inside, the Webb Ellis trophy will sit snugly on soft Louis Vuitton leather, alongside a Rugby World Cup 2023 logo patch.

“With this new official Trophy Travel Case, Louis Vuitton is both happy and proud to continue its long-time partnership with rugby, highlighting its 160-year tradition of creating remarkable trunks,” says Michael Burke, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. “It is a great opportunity to bring our savoir-faire to one of the world’s greatest sporting events, and once again to prove that ‘Victory Travels in Louis Vuitton’.”

“We are honoured by this partnership with Louis Vuitton,” says Claude Atcher, CEO of Rugby World Cup France 2023. “It is fitting that the tournament has such a beautiful symbol of French skill and forward-looking heritage to hold its trophy.”