Welsh Rugby Union renews Rhino official supplier deal

Rhino has occupied this role since 2005 and this deal, which encompasses support for the game in Wales from international level through to grass roots, runs through until 2018.

Already this season WRU Head of Rugby Josh Lewsey has announced an initiative which saw 43 schools in Wales appoint full-time school-club hub officers and those schools have directly benefitted from equipment supplied by Rhino.

Rhino equipment has also been on offer at significantly reduced rates to each of the WRU's member clubs via the governing body's Participation Points scheme - thousands of items have already been ordered by clubs from pitch equipment to tackle bags and training gear, including 272 chrome whistles, 773 corner poles and 689 'hit shields'.

At international level Rhino Rugby and the Wales national coaches are in close consultation about the equipment needs of the international players, with standard items like scrum machines, jackal and tackle bags on the agenda alongside new product development.

"We are working closely with the Wales national squad to make sure we meet all their training requirements with the kit we provide", said Anthony Locke, Rhino Managing Director.

"Training techniques are constantly changing along with the way the game is played and we remain an innovative dynamic company at the cutting edge of design in terms of the equipment we are able to supply to national teams.

"But we also produce a staple diet of equipment which can enhance training and the matchdays at all levels of the game and we are extremely pleased to be able to announce a continued relationship with Welsh rugby will ensure that every need is catered for from grass roots to international level."

WRU Chief Executive Roger Lewis added: "Rhino Rugby are a specialist supplier and, put simply, nobody else can do what they do as well as they can do it.

"The most important thing about Welsh Rugby's relationship with Rhino is that the national coaches and the players are happy with the equipment they supply.

"If we have the right supplier at a national level, when we filter down the equipment and expertise to our age-group sides and directly to grassroots rugby we know we are reaching the right standards to enable our teams and rugby clubs to flourish in their training environments."

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