After five years sponsorship of the Five and then Six Nations Championship, Lloyds TSB has decided that it will not be renewing its current contract which expired at the end of this season’s Championship.

Commenting on the decision, Jon Phelps head of group sponsorship, said: “Both
Lloyds TSB and the Six Nations have benefited from a very fruitful relationship. However, as our business objectives change so our sponsorship programme needs to adapt to help achieve these.

“We do not intend to move away from our involvement in rugby and are exploring other opportunities in international and grassroots rugby which we feel might better meet our business objectives at this time. We feel very proud to have been the first ever sponsor of the Six Nations Championship and of our involvement in the most prestigious, annual rugby competition in the world.”

Allan Hosie, chairman of the Six Nations Committee, said: “We would like to thank Lloyds TSB for their sponsorship of the Championship. Our relationship with
Lloyds TSB has been an example of true partnership rather than just sponsorship. They were our first ever title sponsors and have been a supportive and generous partner to us and to northern hemisphere rugby.”