The Varsity Match has joined esteemed rugby company with its appointment of Rhino as Official Ball Partner and Official Training Equipment Partner.

Rhino is the Official Supplier of the current British & Irish Lions for their 2017 tour of New Zealand in both of these product categories.

The partnership will see both Oxford and Cambridge use the highest-level Rhino training equipment for their match preparations throughout the season as well as Rhino becoming the official training and match ball for the iconic Varsity Match contests at Twickenham on Thursday, 7th December, 2017.

Representing a further extension of Rhino's current agreement with the annual Battle of the Blues, the partnership follows last month's announcement that Rhino Teamwear would be supplying on-field, training and leisurewear apparel to both clubs as well as on Varsity Match day for both the men's and women's teams. As part of the three-year agreement, Rhino will now also become an overall Official Partner of The Varsity Match.

Former Oxford Blue and Rhino Group CEO, Reg Clark, said: "Rhino is delighted to become an Official Partner of The Varsity Match - one of the game's great historic occasions, in an agreement which encompasses our full product offering - balls, training equipment, teamwear and apparel.

"We believe no other rugby brand in the world can offer this full range of products. We are also looking forward to working closely with both OURFC and CURUFCthroughout the seasons, and to linking with as many college sides at the Universities as possible".

David Searle, CEO of The Varsity Match Company, said: "The Varsity Match is delighted to have agreed a further partnership with Rhino - a name synonymous with top level rugby. They have a proven track record of working with the leading teams in world rugby and we are very excited that the Rugby Clubs of Oxford and Cambridge Universities will benefit from using Rhino's equipment and expertise".

The Varsity Match joins a star-studded stable of global rugby brands to be supplied equipment, rugby balls and teamwear by Rhino.

Rhino's partners include The British & Irish Lions (balls and equipment), England Rugby (equipment), Welsh Rugby Union (equipment), RBS 6 Nations (leisurewear) and Rugby Europe (balls).