Scottish Rugby secures biggest ever sponsorship deal

Scottish Rugby has announced the biggest sponsorship deal in its history.

A unique part of the four-year deal will see Scottish Rugby ask supporters for their views on the new Scotland kit ahead of its launch later this summer.

Scottish Rugby's Chief Executive Mark Dodson said: "This historic deal for Scottish Rugby is very welcome news and I would like to thank Macron for joining us in this ground-breaking partnership. The new deal will start on 1st July when our existing agreement with Canterbury of New Zealand comes to an end. I thank Canterbury for all their support of Scottish Rugby. Today is about welcoming Macron and looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership which will benefit our sport, on the international, top-level and community playing fields and for our supporters who pull on the shirt and share that pride".

"Listening to Chris Paterson, one of Scottish Rugby's all time-greats, I was struck by his view that he was really only 'borrowing' the jersey. There were great players who had worn it in the past and, we all hope, greats who will wear it in the future. But the jersey itself belongs to the nation and that's why we want to involve our supporters in what their team will be wearing".

Paterson, Scottish Rugby’s ambassador, and Scotland's cap and points' record-holder, who wore the Scotland jersey on some 109 occasions and the Macron designed Edinburgh Rugby kit, said: "Scots, the world over, take great pride in the team jersey. "It's so much more than a piece of fabric. It symbolises Scotland and all our heritage and tradition. For me there was always a duty to fill the jersey and enhance that pride".

"It's great that Scotland supporters will have the chance to influence the new jersey when Macron becomes Scottish Rugby's official kit supplier in July", Gianluca Pavanello, Macron’s CEO said. "It is an honour for us to be welcomed by Scotland, one of the cornerstone nations of international rugby, where the game of 7s was born. It is with great pride that we announce the entrance of the Scotland national rugby team alongside Scottish Rugby's pro-club Glasgow Warriors into the Macron family, while retaining Edinburgh Rugby, our first partnership in Scottish Rugby".

Scottish Rugby's Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, Dominic McKay, said: "Today's announcement is most timely ahead of the start of the RBS 6 Nations Championship next week. As we all know, these are challenging economic times but there is growing confidence amongst the global business community in the strength of Scottish Rugby brand and the values of our sport.

"Macron joins The Famous Grouse, Tennant Caledonian Brewery and UNILEVER/Dove Men+Care, internationally recognised brands, in becoming part of the Scottish Rugby family in the past two months and joining some of our well established partners such as RBS".