THE SIX NATIONS has today announced Guinness as its new title sponsor for the next six years.
The move will keep naming rights on the Championship until 2024 and increases Guinness’ visibility in rugby, adding to their sponsorship of Ireland’s November internationals and the Guinness Pro14. The stout was previously title sponsors of what is now the Gallagher Premiership in England.
The Times this week reported the deal to be worth £6 (€6.7) million in its first year, rising to £12 (€13.46) million by the end of the term. The same report calls the figures a cut-price deal, after the tournament had placed a £100 (€112) million valuation on six-year naming rights in 2017.
The 2019 Six Nations kicks off in eight weeks’ time and will mark the first installment of the new sponsorship after a long-running link with RBS and, in 2018, NatWest.
“We are absolutely delighted to enhance our long-standing relationship with Guinness and they will be a terrific title sponsor for Rugby’s greatest championship,” says Six Nations CEO Benjamin Morel in a statement released today.
John Kennedy, president of Diageo Europe, Turkey and India, added: “Working with the Six Nations, we want to enhance both the Championship and the fan experience whilst using the partnership to encourage the adult fans watching, or attending, the games to drink responsibly.”
Great signing. Hopefully he’ll get a good runout
@Colm Cunningham: Presumably just injury cover for Kelleher and Sheehan
@TL55: I’d imagine so. Pretty decent cover. Massively talented player.
@TL55: even so. Both will likely be gone for international games plus injuries if they happen.
@whoowhat?: No URC games during International weekends this season hence reduction in overall no of games & so squad sizes.
If he can fulfill his potential, it’s a great signing to get him back in the Irish system. Could be a great signing.
Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t mc Elroy turn down offers here to sign for saracens a few years back in order to play for England ?
@Michael Uzice: Prodigal son time if he’s good enough. That said, he’s not really needed for Ireland now with the two top guys at Leinster being so good.
@Michael Uzice: Fairly sure he didn’t have any offers from Leinster as they already filled the hooker position, so that’s why he signed for Saracen’s. Sean Cronin is retired & I can’t imagine James Tracy will be sticking around for too long at 31 and never really reached huge heights. And now with McKee playing very well. It does make you wonder how the highly rated prospect of Lee Barron is going to get his place in the team with Dan Sheehan, Ronan Kelleher, John McKee, Tadhg McElroy & James Tracy all ahead of him. Incredibly strong in that area nonetheless.