Rugby Union

Premium lager brand Heineken took a “leap of faith” in deciding to sponsor European club rugby’s revamped, elite tournaments because it had doubts about the organiser’s commercial concept, Hans Erik Tuijt, global activation director of Heineken International, told Sports Sponsorship Insider this month.

Consumer electronics brand Samsung signed a three-year deal this month with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as it expands its UK portfolio.

Global logistics company DHL has entered into a sponsorship deal with USA Rugby, the national governing body for rugby union in the country.

Italian banking group Cariparma Credit Agricole has agreed a three-year extension to its contract as the main sponsor of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).

Internet provider MyRepublic has reached an agreement with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to serve as title sponsor for the national team’s forthcoming northern hemisphere tour.

The Scottish Rugby governing body has agreed a one-year extension to its title sponsorship agreement with ticketing exchange Viagogo for Scotland’s autumn Test series.

Italian rugby union team Zebre Rugby has reached an expanded sponsorship deal to make retail store brand Conad its shirt sponsor in European competitions.

Korean electronics giant Samsung has agreed a three-year deal to become the official consumer electronics and smartphone partner of the Rugby Football Union.

Two new commercial sponsors have signed up to support English Premiership rugby union team Wasps, which announced yesterday (Wednesday) a deal to play games at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry from this December.

European Professional Club Rugby, the new operating body for the continent’s premier rugby union club competitions, could wait until the beginning of next season to fill its remaining four commercial partner slots after unveiling beer brand Heineken yesterday (Monday).

Dutch brewing company Heineken has been confirmed as the first of five planned main commercial partners for the new competitions run by the European Professional Club Rugby organisation, while sportswear company Canterbury of New Zealand has also agreed a deal.

English Premiership rugby union team Bath has announced digital media company Olive Media as its official business partner for the ongoing 2014-15 season.

Chemical products manufacturing company Henkel has struck a deal with the French National Rugby League to become a sponsor of the French Top 14 premier domestic club rugby union division.

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.

Welsh Pro12 rugby union club Ospreys has signed up airline CityJet as a commercial partner.

English Premiership rugby union club Leicester Tigers has extended its long-term sponsorship agreement with mail, courier and logistics company DX.