RBS set to remain as Six Nations title sponsor

17 July 2012 | Posted in Sponsorship, Rugby, Europe | By Tom Love

According to an increasing number of reports, the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will soon announce a significant extension and expansion to its title sponsorship of the Six Nations and in doing so end speculation that rival bank HSBC will take over as the competition's new naming rights partner.

The deal's renewal, which was first reported by Sky News, is expected in the coming weeks with Marketingmagazine.co.uk pointing to a lucrative four-year agreement worth some UK£44 million (US$69 million) overall.

If that value is correct, the extension will represent a significant increase in value compared to the bank's previous four-year deal agreed in January 2009 which, at the time, was believed to be worth US$7 million annually.

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When announced, the deal will see the international rugby union competition contested by the national teams of England, France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy continue to be officially known as the RBS 6 Nations until the end of 2017 - a period of time that will include England's hosting of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.