IRFU eye new sponsor as Puma exits kit deal

The IRFU is expected to give an update in negotiations with a major kit sponsor today following the withdrawal of Puma from a €40 million deal that was to last until 2017.

Puma’s pull-out will not be of major significance this year as the sporting giant has given the IRFU until the end of the upcoming 2013-14 season to find an alternative.

The IRFU has been actively seeking a replacement and financial discussions are expected to dominate this evening’s AGM at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. The IRFU are facing into a challenging financial year with 3,200 of their 10-year season tickets expired and just half of that allocation redistributed.

The union is also in the midst of a selling campaign for the November internationals though they are blessed by the quality of the opposition, with the reigning world champions New Zealand, Australia and Samoa (who are one place above Ireland in the world rankings at the moment in seventh) all visiting.

A further batch of tickets has just gone on sale for these games, which will mark new coach Joe Schmidt’s first Tests in charge of Ireland following the departure of Declan Kidney.

After the early bird sale for Irish Rugby Supporters Club members in May, this batch of tickets — returned from rugby clubs — have gone on sale with tickets available across a wide range of categories.