RBS in £20m sponsor deal for Six Nations

Published on Tuesday 20 January 2009 08:49

SIX Nations Championship rugby's sponsorship looks safe with reports today claiming the deal with RBS was clinched before the full effects of the credit crunch on the bank became clear.

According to one source the tournament, which gets underway early next month with Scotland's opening fixture at home to Wales on Sunday February 8, has secured a 20 million deal for an additional four years.

Meanwhile, Scotland have been written off in the inaugural fixture – by a former Lions and Welsh legend.

Barry John, who starred at stand off in the only Lions side to win a series in New Zealand, in 1971, says no team will get the better of his playing successors.

"I'm tipping (Welsh coach) Warren Gatland's class of 2009 to follow their Six Nations clean sweep last year with another Grand Slam this time around."

Wales have won once at Murrayfield since 1997.

&#149 LEINSTER lock Malcolm O'Kelly could miss his team's pivotal Heineken European Cup visit from Edinburgh on Sunday after being cited to appear before a disciplinary commission on Thursday on a charge of alleged stamping.