Australian Super Rugby team the Queensland Reds has entered into a partnership with Japanese gas appliances company Rinnai.
The company’s logo will appear on the collar of the Reds’ playing jerseys during the 2016 season as part of the deal, which names Rinnai as a major sponsor of the team.
Queensland Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael said: “This partnership is a testament to the reach of rugby in Queensland and the opportunities that exist for our corporate partners, not only with our Super Rugby team, but with the game at grassroots level.”
Queensland starts its 2016 season against fellow Australian side the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney on February 27.
This year will also mark the first time Super Rugby has featured a Japanese franchise, with the Tokyo-based Sunwolves team set to make its competition debut. The Reds are due to face the Sunwolves at home in Round 13 on May 21 and have signed Japanese national team star Ayumu Goromaru (pictured) for the new season.