Sophie Goldschmidt, RFU Chief Commercial Officer, yesterday announced another four year extension to the longstanding Official Supplier contract between Rhino and England Rugby which has now been in place for 28 years, one of the longest standing commercial relationships in world rugby. England forward coach Graham Rowntree commented:
“Rhino has been great to work with over the years and I’m pleased that the relationship is set to continue. They understand the demands of rugby and the need to create quality and innovative equipment which develops the right technique for players and ensures the training ground replicates match conditions as closely as possible.”
Rhino Rugby MD Anthony Locke commented:
“We are very pleased to have renewed our arrangements with the RFU and look forward to continuing to work closely with all England representative teams and to supply the equipment that the senior side need to prepare for the 2015 World Cup and beyond. We're also excited to be involved in the RFU's drive to make first class equipment more accessible to clubs."
England first packed down on an early Rhino Powerhouse scrum machine at a training session at Bisham Abbey in 1983 with a formal Official Suppliership following two years later – in Rugby World Cup year 2015 therefore Rhino will be celebrating 30 years of formal association with the RFU.