Irish rugby's new deal

Irish permanent announced an extension of their sponsorship contract with the Irish Rugby Football Union at Lansdowne Road yesterday. The new contract will be worth over £1.4 million over the next four years and continues the close links with the Irish team which began in 1993.

The agreement encompasses the continuing sponsorship of the national squad, the hosting of all non Five Nations and non World Cup matches and includes the Ireland A team for the first time. Roy Douglas, chief executive of Irish Permanent, described the sponsorship as "bigger and broader, and will deepen the excellent relationship with the IRFU."

Noel Murphy, president of the IRFU, gave a similar welcome to the new sponsorship. "We are looking forward to an equally successful collaboration over the next four years," he said. "The agreement covers many aspects of the game and is a great investment into the future of Irish rugby," he said.

Team manager Donal Lenihan also displayed a new Irish team jersey for Saturday's game with South Africa, featuring an enlarged Irish Permanent logo. The white jersey with green sleeves will be used because of the clash with South Africa's similar team colours.