European Professional Club Rugby has appointed sports equipment manufacturer Gilbert as the official match ball supplier for its inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments under a three-year deal.
Gilbert’s partnership with the new organiser of Europe’s elite club rugby competitions runs until the end of the 2016-17 season.
The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup tournaments are added to Gilbert’s portfolio of major rugby events, which includes the 2015 World Cup, the English Premiership, France’s Top 14 and Super Rugby.
The Challenge Cup opens on October 16 when Gloucester host Brive, with Harlequins versus Castres getting the Champions Cup under way on the following day.
The finals for the tournaments will take place at Twickenham Stoop and Twickenham Stadium respectively on May 1-2 next year.