Old Mutual Wealth replaces QBE as RFU’s autumn internationals partner

The Rugby Football Union has agreed a four-year partnership with Old Mutual Wealth under which the UK wealth management business will become the new title sponsor of the England men’s and women’s autumn internationals.

Old Mutual Wealth has signed on as a principal partner of England Rugby with the autumn internationals becoming the Old Mutual Wealth Series from 2016 to 2019. This is the first time England’s women team will have a title partner for their autumn series.

Old Mutual Wealth replaces QBE in the role, with the insurance company having held a four-year deal with the RFU, governing body of rugby union in England, that ran from September 2012 to the end of July 2016.

The new partnership will also see Old Mutual Wealth assume title sponsorship of England men’s annual May fixture, which from 2016 becomes the Old Mutual Wealth Cup. The first opponents England will face in this fixture will be Wales in a capped match at Twickenham Stadium on May 29.

Old Mutual Wealth will also be supporting a significant grass roots rugby programme, with more details to follow in the New Year.

Paul Feeney, chief executive of Old Mutual Wealth, said: “We are building Old Mutual Wealth for those who want to make a positive difference, for themselves, their families and their communities. We hope that our involvement with the sport will go beyond the branding, to build the sport and help it prosper.”

The England senior team is set to play four consecutive Tests against Southern Hemisphere opponents in 2016 at Twickenham against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia.

England women will play home fixtures against France and Canada with the match against Canada taking place at Twickenham following the Argentina international. They will also play an away Test against Ireland and a potential further home fixture with another opponent is being arranged.