England men's and women's add new shirt sponsor ahead of new season

Lloyds will become the first-ever back-of-the-shirt sponsor for both the England men’s and women’s senior teams after signing a multi-year agreement to become the the Official Banking Partner of England Rugby.

The partnership will see Lloyds and the RFU work together in initiatives designed to “improve the long-term sustainability of local grassroots clubs, enhance community facilities, and introduce tens of thousands of young people to the sport.”

Further details on these projects will be revealed in 2027, the RFU confirmed in a statement, with England men’s captain Maro Itoje saying the impact of the partnership will be “fully felt across rugby”.

The new jerseys will have the Black Horse Lloyds logo emblazoned on the back of the England shirts worn by the men’s team and the Red Roses, as well as their anthem jackets.

The Red Roses get their WXV Global Series campaign underway this weekend when they face the Australia on September 12 at the CorpAcq Stadium in Salford. Steve Borthwick’s side will also begin their season against Australia on November 8 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

“Some of my earliest memories of rugby come from the people I met through the game – my coaches, my teammates I grew up alongside and the volunteers who gave their time every week,” Itoje said.

“All of these experiences laid the important foundations for my international career. What excites me about this partnership is Lloyds’ commitment to the whole game; to strengthen those foundations, welcome more people into rugby and help our incredible sport fulfil its potential. The impact will be fully felt across rugby, from local clubs and young players right through to the England teams.”

Red Roses star Ellie Kildunne said: “Rugby has given me so many opportunities throughout my life, and those opportunities begin at local clubs and in communities across the country. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see Lloyds making a long-term commitment to the sport at every level, including the England teams.

“The strength of English rugby comes from the people who volunteer their time, support their clubs, and help young players develop a love for the game. Knowing that this partnership will invest in those foundations, while also helping the game grow and reach new audiences, makes it an exciting step forward for everyone involved in rugby.”

RFU CEO Bill Sweeney added: “This is a truly significant partnership for the RFU and marks an important moment for rugby in England. Lloyds is one of the country’s most recognised and proudly British brands, and their commitment extends far beyond visibility on the England shirt.

“Together, we have a shared ambition to grow the game from the grassroots up, creating more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to play, enjoy and be part of rugby.

“What makes this relationship particularly exciting is its potential to make a real difference across every level of the game, from local clubs to our England teams. Lloyds shares our belief in rugby’s power to bring communities together, and we are delighted to welcome them into the rugby family as we deliver our vision for the future together.”

Suresh Balaji, Chief Marketing Officer at Lloyds, said: “Rugby is at the heart of communities across Britain, bringing people together from grassroots clubs to the international game. As a bank rooted in those same communities, we’re proud to partner with the RFU to help strengthen rugby at every level.

“Seeing our iconic Black Horse on the England shirt for the first time is a proud moment for all of us here at Lloyds. By championing rugby, we’re championing the ambitions of the people and businesses that help our communities thrive, right across the country.”