Scottish Rugby was handed another major boost today when Bank of Scotland announced that it is to sponsor the new professional rugby competition in a one-year deal, worth more than £100,000.
The Bank’s sponsorship gives added bite and profile to the new competition – the Bank of Scotland Pro-Rugby Cup to be played by Scotland’s three professional teams, Edinburgh Rugby, Glasgow Rugby and The Borders.
The competition will not only give a platform to age-old rivalry in determining Scotland’s top district; it will also serve as qualification for next year’s Heineken Cup with the top two winning places in Europe’s premier pro-club tournament.
SRU sponsorship manager David James said: ‘We are delighted that Bank of Scotland is giving its support to professional rugby in Scotland. This sponsorship is the strongest confirmation of the growing level of corporate and public interest in the pro-teams.
‘This season has already seen newspaper group, The Scotsman Publications, announce a two-year deal worth in excess of £750,000 with the three teams, all of whom have also secured secondary sponsorship and additional business partners.
‘We are most encouraged too that spectator interest is rising. Glasgow Rugby report a 40% increase in season ticket sales, Edinburgh Rugby have a 25% increase in gates and, in their first season, The Borders are averaging a 4,000 gate at Netherdale.’
Ray Macfarlane, Head of Community Relations at Bank of Scotland, said: ‘As one of the country’s largest commercial supporters of Scottish sport, we’re delighted to be sponsoring the Bank of Scotland Pro-Rugby Cup. The best players in Scotland facing up to one another in some of the game’s greatest rivalries will make this an unmissable tournament for rugby fans in Edinburgh, Glasgow and throughout the Borders.’
The captains of Scotland’s professional teams have all welcomed today’s news. Andy Nicol, Glasgow Rugby captain, said: ‘Local rivalry matters as much to players now as it has always done. The fact that the Bank of Scotland Pro-Rugby Cup will determine our rankings in Europe heightens the intensity and this sponsorship is a very welcome boost to the competition’s profile.’
Edinburgh Rugby’s captain Todd Blackadder said: ‘My experience of the matches against Glasgow last season has certainly whetted my appetite for the new competition. Corporate support, on top of our fans’ loyalty, means a lot and I’m delighted to learn of Bank of Scotland’s backing.’
Gary Armstrong, skipper of The Borders, said: ‘We’re the new boys in this competition and are really looking forward to renewing rivalry with the boys from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Bank of Scotland has been a good friend to clubs in the Borders for many years as it sponsored the Border League and it’s great that the Bank’s getting behind the professional game.’
Four points will be awarded for a win in each game, two points for a draw with a bonus point awarded to a team scoring four or more tries or finishing within seven points of the opposition in a lost game
If teams are tied on championship points positions will be determined firstly by for and against differential, secondly by the number of games won and thirdly by tries scored.
The top two teams in the competition will qualify to represent Scotland in next season’s Heineken Cup. The third placed team will enter the Parker Pen Challenge Cup competition.
For further information please contact:
Graham Law, SRU
0131 346 5164
Alastair Ross, Bank of Scotland
0131 243 7055