Edinburgh extend shirt sponsor deal as trio pledge future

DESPITE the fact their Magners League play-off hopes hang by a thread, Edinburgh have given Scottish rugby a boost, by confirming that their main shirt sponsor has signed a new deal.

• On a good day for Edinburgh, it emerged that Ben Cairns has agreed a three-year deal. Picture: SNS

That may not add up to much in the news around professional rugby ordinarily, but such have been the SRU's difficulties in retaining and attracting sponsors in recent years that re-signing a firm with as high a profile as Aberdeen Asset Management is crucial for the sport in Scotland, both financially and in terms of rebuilding its reputation.

Aberdeen Asset Management joined Edinburgh in August, 2008 at a time when sponsors were jumping ship, and are now extending their sponsorship for at least one more season on an improved figure. The SRU would not confirm what that figure amounted to, and neither would Aberdeen Asset Management. Glasgow's main sponsor Response signed only a one-year deal last year, but Glasgow remain hopeful of striking a new deal with the call centre firm owned by David Murray's business empire in the near future despite Murray's well-documented financial losses in the past year.

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: "I am pleased to announce that Aberdeen Asset Management has made a commitment to Edinburgh Rugby for a third consecutive season. Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular, continues to be an important element of our global business so we are delighted to support the city's rugby team."

That statement in itself will be pleasing to an SRU executive that has been working overtime to appeal to the wider business community with only marginal success, partly due to the recession-hit times but also with criticism of their approach and demands circling in the background.

The SRU lost big names The Famous Grouse, Highland Spring and BT from its sponsorship portfolio in recent years and word on whether Murray will continue with his business's sponsorship of the Scotland team has been decidedly quiet. It is believed that his own financial troubles, both in wider business and with Rangers FC, have merely underlined his intention to walk away from the rugby team when the current deal ends in the autumn.

He only stepped in at the last minute to help out former employee Gordon McKie, now the SRU's chief executive, when no-one else could be secured following Famous Grouse's departure ahead of the World Cup in 2007, pledging 2.7million over the three years, which was a drop in the Famous Grouse monies. Murray stated that he could not envisage the national team going to the World Cup without a shirt sponsor.

That could leave the SRU without a main sponsor and broadcaster, two of its main income streams, for the autumn Test series with New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa and going into a new World Cup year. Results on the pitch are now an integral factor to the SRU's negotiations, with Glasgow's push for a Magners League play-off place and Scotland's tour to Argentina this summer firmly in the spotlight.

Edinburgh are not entirely out of the running for the play-offs, but they require to score four tries or more in beating Leinster in Dublin on Sunday and hope that Cardiff beat Munster at home but without scoring four tries. The club was boosted further yesterday with confirmation that Ben Cairns, Geoff Cross and John Houston have all agreed new contracts, with Cross signing a two-year deal, Cairns for three years and Houston penning a contract to keep him at Edinburgh until 2014.

Still unsigned, however, is Allister Hogg, the Scotland No8, who is mulling over his contract offer.

On those who have agreed new deals, Rob Moffat, the head coach, said: "We're talking here about three quality rugby players, all of whom are ambitious, honest and looking to win trophies. Ben is only 24 and John and Geoff are both 27 and I firmly believe we have yet to see the best of all three of them.

"From the coaches' point of view, the good thing about all three is they have a strong work ethic and a real desire to get better. Playing and winning for Edinburgh is more than just a job for them."

Nic Cartwright, the Edinburgh chief executive, added: "There's no denying we've had a tough last few weeks, but the loyalty of our sponsor, who have renewed on improved terms, and the commitment to the club shown by Ben, Geoff and John is immensely heartening.

"We know that we still have an opportunity to end the regular season on a high and that a bonus-point win against Leinster on Sunday could see us into the Magners League play-offs. The news we're announcing today gives everyone an added incentive."