Six Nations Championship
RBS extends Six Nations sponsorship
Scrum.com
January 22, 2009
Wales captain Ryan Jones lifts the 2008 Six Nations trophy, Wales v France, Six Nations, Millennium Stadium, March 15 2008.
Wales lift the 2008 Six Nations trophy © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations | Six Nations

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has agreed to extend its sponsorship of the Six Nations until 2013 despite their recent financial instability.

The contract is thought to be worth around £20m and will continue a relationship that began in 2003. Earlier in the week RBS had seen their shares lose 67% of their value and the news will almost certainly raise eyebrows as RBS looks soon to be under 70% control of the British Government, with the figure currently standing at 58%. The ailing bank are also rumoured to be almost £28 billion in debt for the past calendar year, a figure that is set to be the worst loss in UK history, eclipsing the £15 billion lost by Vodafone in 2006.

This year's tournament kicks off on February 7, with England hosting Italy at Twickenham and France travelling to Croke Park to face Ireland, before reigning Grand Slam champions Wales get underway with a difficult trip to Scotland on February 8.

"We have been in discussion with the Six Nations Committee about the renewal of the title sponsorship and agreed to extend this through to 2013," an RBS spokesperson told the BBC. "Talks about a new contract worth around £20m had begun after last year's championship and an agreement has now been reached.

"The RBS Six Nations sponsorship has been selected to meet very specific business objectives within the six competing nations."

© Scrum.com

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices