Wales are the reigning champions going into the 2009 tournament
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The Royal Bank of Scotland has confirmed it will extend its sponsorship of the the Six Nations tournament until 2013.
The news comes despite RBS being 70% owned by the Government after a bail-out with public funds.
The new four-year contract is worth around £20m and will start once this year's championship has finished.
John Feehan, chief executive of the Six Nations council, said: "RBS has been a hugely supportive sponsor."
RBS has sponsored the tournament since 2003 but the bank estimated that it could be left £28bn in the red for 2008, prompting speculation about whether it would continue to sponsor the Six Nations.
And an RBS spokesperson told BBC Sport the deal hade been made after careful consideration.
"The RBS 6 Nations sponsorship has been selected to meet very specific business objectives within the six competing nations."
The 2009 championship begins on 7 February, with England hosting Italy followed by Ireland v France.
Holders Wales play Scotland at Murrayfield on 8 February.
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