Date: Wed 12 Dec 2012

World Cup winner Will Greenwood was no stranger to success on a rugby field - but now he can boast about his driving ability after coming out on top in a challenge to launch the new Aviva Drive campaign.

Sat behind the wheel of a Land Rover Discovery, Greenwood, Marland Yarde, Tom Smallbone and players from London Welsh were assessed at the Land Rover Experience Centre, promoting Aviva Drive, an app designed to reward safe drivers.

The app offers a snapshot of a driver's behaviour, which is then used to determine whether they are eligible for a discount on a new comprehensive car policy.
Split into three teams, the players were assessed over three challenges; using their vehicle to score with an oversized football, blindfolded driving and manoeuvring across various terrain and gradients whilst balancing rugby balls on the bonnet.

And Greenwood, whose team just pipped the Irish duo of Tom Smallbone and Marland Yarde to victory, said: "It was a great experience up here in Warwickshire and great to come out on top.

"I have been driving Land Rovers around for years at home so that part was nothing new to me.

"But the challenges were all testing and we managed to do particularly well throughout. I don't think I'll be driving blindfolded again any time soon.

"The app is also a very good idea. If it offers people a chance to save money on their car insurance then why not download it and the core idea is important as safe drivers deserve rewards.

"And what better way to test it than getting a 40-year-old ex-rugby player in a car!"

The last time the two sides came face to face, Welsh took the spoils with a 15-9 win at the Kassam Stadium, their fourth victory in their debut season in the Aviva Premiership.

And they ensured their dominance over Irish continued when the team of fly-half Gordon Ross, captain Jon Mills and Greenwood were announced the winners.

Ross, the man who kicked all 15 points in their round Aviva Premiership round 10 victory, said afterwards the day made up for the disappointment of not being able to train on a frozen pitch.

"It certainly makes a welcome break from training. Our pitch was frozen today so the boys couldn't train but this was a great experience and even better that we won," said Ross.

"Blindfolded driving was interesting because you can't really even tell if you are moving so you have to rely on your teammates. It was a good thing we had our captain Jon Mills with us."

Photos by Pinnacle Photography

Marland and Tom talking to RFU.com