Munster set to ink Bank of Ireland deal

Bank of Ireland are expected to become the new main sponsor of Munster Rugby in the coming days.

Contracts on what is a five-year deal are likely to be signed as the bank, which is 15% owned by the State, takes over after the outgoing Toyota deal expires next month.

The deal is expected to be worth €600,000 to €700,000 a year plus bonuses if certain performance targets are met.

If the deal works out, Bank of Ireland will sponsor three of Ireland’s provinces. It has covered Leinster since 2007 — renewing its deal in 2011 for four years — while Ulster have been on the books since 1997 and it was the title sponsor of Connacht from 1996 until 2011, when Mazda agreed a three-year deal with the western province worth €1.5 million.