Retail and commercial banking company NatWest has agreed a deal to become the new title sponsor of the Six Nations rugby union tournament.
The one-year contract announced today (Wednesday) is for the 2018 Six Nations and keeps the event in the Royal Bank of Scotland family.
NatWest is part of the RBS group, which has held rights to the tournament since 2003. RBS announced in June 2016 that it would be stepping down from its role as Six Nations title sponsor following the conclusion of this year’s event, which ran from February 4 to March 18.
David Wheldon, chief marketing officer at NatWest, said: “We have been title sponsors of the Six Nations for the last 15 years and are delighted to be renewing our sponsorship for a further year under our customer facing NatWest brand.
“The 2018 NatWest 6 Nations will provide us with a platform to engage and build affinity with our customers and to offer our continued support to a sport with which we have had a long running and mutually beneficial relationship. The Six Nations also has a strong European reach where we also serve our customers through our NatWest brand.”
NatWest has a strong rugby heritage and for the last five years has supported more than 700 community rugby clubs across England and Wales via NatWest RugbyForce.
The 2018 Six Nations kicks off on February 3 with Wales hosting Scotland in the opening fixture at Principality Stadium in Cardiff.