Scotland Team Sponsor Rbs Launches Fabric Of The Nation

Scotland’s new team sponsor, RBS, today revealed an initiative which underlines the depth of backing for the national team as their preparations for the world’s third biggest sporting event intensify. The EMC Test at Murrayfield a week on Saturday (6 August) when Scotland face Ireland will be the first time that Scotland have appeared with the branding of their new sponsor, RBS, on their new kit.It will also be the penultimate chance for players who are trying to make the Scotland squad of 30 for the highlight of the global sporting calendar, Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand this autumn. For RBS, their sponsorship is about much more than the national team, as it encapsulates the game at all levels – from the grassroots to the game’s international elite. Thus the initiative on which RBS have worked with Scottish Rugby over the summer whereby almost 120 people have been nominated by their clubs – from Shetland in the north-east to Wigtownshire in the south-west – to travel to Murrayfield and take to the pitch to unveil a specially designed giant version of the new RBS branded Scotland jersey before kick-off in the game against Ireland. Scotland head coach Andy Robinson today welcomed the enthusiasm with which the project is being greeted.     He said: “One of our key values as a squad is our desire to inspire the nation and every player who is privileged to represent Scotland knows that they have had to make sacrifices along the way to achieving their goal. “But sacrifices are made by other people too – not least players’ families and friends – and it’s also true to say that every player in the Scotland team owes a debt of gratitude to many people in the rugby community. “This is a tremendous scheme from RBS and it enables us to say thank you in a very public way to many of the unsung heroes who ensure rugby clubs go from strength to strength. It will also add spectacle to what will be a special day at Murrayfield as we play our first international of the season.” Peter McCarthy, managing director RBS Scotland branch banking, said: “RBS understand that rugby is at the heart of communities across Scotland and recognise the difference that the game can make.  “As a result we have worked with Scottish Rugby this summer to help clubs across the country select individuals that have made a real contribution to rugby at a local level. “The feedback we have received has been impressive and there will be over 100 clubs from across Scotland represented on the pitch prior to kick-off.” Colin Thomson, head of community rugby at Scottish Rugby, added: “Club rugby is the lifeblood of the Scottish game and the club members have been nominated due to the commitment that they have made to rugby and their local communities. “We look forward to welcoming fans across the country to support both the national team and their club representatives at the EMC Test against Ireland.” Two Scotland players involved in today’s announcement and photo-call were scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and openside flanker Ross Rennie, both Edinburgh Rugby.  They first played club rugby with Jed-Forest and Stewart’s-Melville respectively and thus donned their club colours for the photo-call. On Saturday week Jed will be represented by Allan Goodfellow, who has had a lifelong affinity with the club and who has coached Laidlaw and some of his illustrious predecessors, including his uncle,  Roy and fellow Scotland and British Lions scrum-half Gary Armstrong. Stew-Mel will be represented on Saturday week by former referee Colin Rigby. Colin has been a loyal supporter of the club for many years and volunteered to support their commercial activities. His impact in this area has been significant and he has secured new sponsors, as well as taking responsibility for negotiating a new kit sponsorship deal. He is also a pivotal figure in the development of the club’s new website and extended use of social networking sites. Tickets are on sale now for the EMC Test v Ireland from£5 for under-18s and students and from£10 for adults. You can buy bought online at www.scottishrugby.org or on the 24 hour credit card hotline (Tel: 0844 335 3933). The same routes can be taken for tickets to the EMC Test against Italy, the last chance for players to cement their places in the Rugby World Cup squad.  That match takes place at Murrayfield on Saturday 20 August, kick-off 5pm. Notes to editors The Royal Bank of Scotland’s sponsorship of the Scotland representative teams is one element of the overall partnership with Scottish Rugby. As principal partner of Scottish Rugby, RBS are supporting rugby in Scotland at all levels, from grassroots activity to the national game. This wide reaching partnership gives RBS the opportunity to deliver against the commitment made in their Customer Charter, to support communities across the country.  RBS are twinning every rugby club in Scotland with their local RBS branch and through the new RBS club support programme RBS will ensure that local volunteers, players and clubs get the support and recognition they deserve. Find out more at www.rbs.co.uk/scottishrugby.