Leased pubs in the Punch Taverns estate have received a copy of the promotional brochure Connect to Rugby in a bid to get more outlets utilising the sport.

The guide includes fixtures lists for the Six Nations tournament, plus selected matches for the Guinness Premiership, Heineken Cup, EDF Energy Cup and Rugby World Cup in September.

There are also 2,000 support kits available for retailers from 13 different brands, including Abbot Ale, Wells Bombardier, Deuchars IPA, John Smith’s, Guinness and Tetley’s.

Punch’s category manager Stephen Martin said: “Rugby continues to go from strength to strength.  Its huge rise in popularity has resulted in significant TV audiences for all the big matches and if these viewers can be enticed into their local pub the atmosphere will be tremendous.

“In the coming months there is a feast of fantastic rugby to look forward to with all the stars of the world game in action.”

The Six Nations begins in February and runs through to 17 March.  Punch is encouraging retailers to use the tournament as a spring board for their World Cup planning.

Stephen said: “The Six Nations always delivers massive international contests and is accessible to all pubs because the matches are screened on terrestrial television.

“The deals available through Connect to Rugby will help retailers harness the passion and power of live sport in their pubs.”

Some kits are free when orders are placed for a particular drinks brand, while others have a small charge for production and delivery.

Contents are wide and varied and include flags, shirts, bunting, branded glassware, posters, stickers, hats and rugby balls.

Retailers can also buy ten national T-shirts for £10 or a complete Six Nations Rugby Pack for £37.90 complete with flags, ball wobblers, bunting and hanging signs.

Punch Taverns is the UK’s largest pub operator with 9,200 leased, tenanted and managed outlets.

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For further information please contact Nick Trueman at Seal Communications on 0121 200 0780