Italian Rugby Federation banks main sponsor extension

Italian banking group Cariparma Credit Agricole has agreed a three-year extension to its contract as the main sponsor of the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR).

Cariparma, the Italian subsidiary of French banking group Credit Agricole, has been the main sponsor of Italy’s rugby union team and its national governing body since January 2007.

Financial details were not disclosed for the new terms, although Cariparma Credit Agricole retains an option to extend for an extra year through 2017.

Along with retaining branding rights on the front of the national team’s shirt, Cariparma remains the title sponsor of Italy’s home autumn Test matches, with games against Samoa, Argentina and South Africa scheduled for next month.

Hughes Brasseur, general manager of Cariparma Crédit Agricole, said: “Since the brand Cariparma Crédit Agricole debuted on the blue jerseys in 2007, the whole movement has gradually acquired, driven by the exploits of the team and the enthusiasm generated by it, an extraordinary visibility on a national and international level, also contributing to increase the popularity of rugby in Italy.”