Scottish Rugby and The Famous Grouse announced today they have agreed a new six figure sponsorship deal until May 2009. The Famous Grouse’s continued support of Scottish Rugby and the Scotland national team follows a successful partnership that has matured over 16 years. The new contract will see the nature of the award-winning sponsorship evolve during the next 24 months.Scottish Rugby and The Famous Grouse announced today they have agreed a new six figure sponsorship deal until May 2009. The Famous Grouse’s continued support of Scottish Rugby and the Scotland national team follows a successful partnership that has matured over 16 years. The new contract will see the nature of the award-winning sponsorship evolve during the next 24 months. As part of the new sponsorship deal, The Famous Grouse will step aside as national team shirt sponsor after the World Cup and then become the Official Spirits Partner of Scottish Rugby. Scottish Rugby will now commence active discussions with a number of prospective new shirt sponsors. The Famous Grouse and Scottish Rugby will work closely throughout the agreement to ensure a smooth and seamless transition, until such times when the new shirt sponsor is announced. The whisky brand remains a proud and loyal supporter of the Scotland squad. Gordon McKie, Chief Executive of Scottish Rugby, said: The Famous Grouse has been a long standing and valued partner to Scottish Rugby for over 16 years and has been with us since the early days of the professional era and supported us through four World Cup campaigns. We’re delighted that The Famous Grouse wishes to continue its association with Scottish Rugby alongside a new team partner after this year’s World Cup in France. Bill Farrar, Group Sales and Marketing Director of The Edrington Group, owners of The Famous Grouse, said: ‘We have enjoyed a long and happy relationship with Scottish Rugby and are now looking forward to taking our association to the next level. The Scotch whisky industry has evolved over the last 16 years and there are now a number of international opportunities for growth that require investment by The Famous Grouse. We feel, therefore, that it’s an appropriate time to stand aside from the high profile association with the shirt and allow Scottish Rugby to explore other potential opportunities in this area. We are proud to support the national team through what will be a fifth World Cup campaign and wish the squad every success this autumn and indeed in future years.