Sport for Business understands that HSBC is likely to be named as the new sponsors of the Six Nations within the next ten days.
It will continue their existing association with the sport and extend the relationship that the premier international competition in the northern hemisphere has with the banking sector.
The new CEO of the 6 Nations Benjamin Morel who came from a position within the NBA starts work officially on November 5th and the announcement is likely in his first few days.
Last year the announcement of Nat West as a one-year ‘stop-gap’ sponsor was made on November 8th, giving just about enough time to get all of the assets ready for the 2018 tournament from which Ireland emerged with a Grand Slam.
Earlier this summer HSBC signed an extension of its partnership with the World Rugby 7’s. It was previously the main sponsor of the British and Irish Lions and is understood to be keen to tie that sponsorship up again for future tours, including South Africa in 2019, alongside the partnership with the 6 Nations.
A look at the website of both organisations has no overall sponsorship branding which has been a concern for the sport and the Unions which manage both of the competitions.
Both organisations are based in Dublin with Charlie McEwan as the Chief Operating Officer for the Lions.
The story about the Lions first broke in the Guardian newspaper late last weekend and subsequent investigation suggests that it is in the final stages of negotiation though not yet confirmed.
The value of the deal being sought by 6 Nations rugby prior to the break with Royal Bank of Scotland was around €120 million over six years. No figure has been placed on whether the new deal will hit those heights. If they do there is likely to be a staggered rise.
Much of international attention through 2019 will inevitably lean towards the Rugby World Cup in Japan for which Societé Generale are the Official Banking Partner.
