French Rugby Federation (FFR) vice-president Serge Simon has revealed that the body is seeking to secure a first-ever shirt sponsor for its national team.
According to the AFP news agency, Simon is targeting a deal worth up to €10m ($10.8m) per year.
Potential sponsors include financial services group Societe Generale, insurance company GMF, telecommunications firm Orange, German sportswear manufacturer Adidas and automotive giant BMW. The five current major sponsors of the national team will have priority to make an offer for the shirt sponsorship. Simon said the body is hopeful of a deal being struck “as soon as possible”.
AFP’s report added that any revenue generated from a shirt sponsor would be reinvested into grassroots rugby at club level and used to support the development of the women’s game.
France is the only major rugby-playing nation in the world that does not have a shirt sponsor.