Scottish Rugby announced on Tuesday a six-year extension to its partnership with kit suppliers Macron which will run until at least June 2026.
“The seven-figure deal represents a significant uplift on the previous agreement signed in 2016 and will see Macron supply match and training kit for the Scotland men’s team through this autumn’s Rugby World Cup in Japan and beyond, as well as sevens, women’s and age grades sides,” said Scottish Rugby.
The country’s two professional clubs, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby, Fosroc academies and referees will continue to wear Macron shirts as part of the contract extension which kicks in after the conclusion of the current agreement in June 2020.
In addition, Macron will continue to operate the official Scottish Rugby store at BT Murrayfield as well as match-day retail activity at Scotland, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby matches. They will also manage the official Scottish Rugby online store.
The agreement means Macron will be the Official Kit Supplier to the Scotland national teams, Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby, and Official Scottish Rugby Retail and Online Partner.
Macron has supplied kits for Scottish Rugby since 2013 although its relationship with governing body goes back to 2010, when it supplied kit for Edinburgh Rugby. It has operated as Scottish Rugby’s retail partners since 2014.
Based in Bologna, Italy, Macron is one of the Europe’s premier sports kit manufacturers.
The company supplies kits to a number of major clients across the sporting landscape, including Italia Rugby, Northampton Saints, Scarlets, LOU Rugby, SSC Lazio, Sporting Clube De Portugal, Nottingham Forest and Stoke City.
The company has a major footprint in Scotland, with Hibernian, Motherwell, Dundee United, Dundee, Queen of the South and Ross County among the football clubs who will wear Macron kit next season.
Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson said: “I am very proud we can continue to work with Macron for a further six years taking the partnership beyond the 2023 Rugby World Cup cycle.
“It is a testament to the quality of the relationship we have with Macron and the products they produce that we can form a long-term mutually beneficial relationship which has grown significantly in recent years.
“It provides excellent business and operational continuity for Macron to supply all our kit requirements until 2026 and I look forward to working with Gianluca and his team in the years to come.”
Macron CEO Gianluca Pavanello said: “What we have with Scottish Rugby is a really special relationship and we are so pleased to be able to proceed forward in a long-term partnership with such a prestigious international team.
“Here in Scotland we have been given the unique opportunity to develop with the Union and clubs the highest level of rugby technical apparel for the modern-day athlete as well as a leisurewear and accessories range that are not only fashionable but unique technical designs of the highest level.
“We at Macron are excited to continue to develop and design hand in hand with Scottish Rugby in this long-term project.”