Red face for Six Nations as major sponsors sidestep the pride of northern hemisphere rugby

Get out the begging bowl - Six Nations rugby has been hit by Brexit. Photo / Photosport

The Six Nations is facing the embarrassing and troubling prospect of running its 2018 tournament without a major sponsor or accepting a cut-price deal.

The major northern hemisphere rugby tournament, with a worldwide television audience around 140 million, has lost its long-term major sponsor the Royal Bank of Scotland and a generous replacement is proving hard to find.

Uncertainty caused by Brexit is given as one of the reasons why the Six Nations is struggling to capitalise on its success.

The Guardian is reporting that a year-long search for a replacement has turned up one potential sponsor who is offering less than the yearly $20m RBS was paying. The Six Nations wants a six-year $183m deal.

The Guardian reported: "The championship starts in February and the tournament committee, which met last week, told its executives that a deal had to be agreed within a fortnight.

"While there has been interest from potential sponsors, no one has come anywhere near the asking price and there is concern that further delay could lead to the one offer being withdrawn.

"That would mean the championship lacking a backer in 2018 and that would blow a significant hole in the finances of the three Celtic unions, Wales, Scotland and Ireland."

The paper said the failure of media outlets to mention RBS in written reports about the Six Nations was another factor to overcome.

The Six Nations chief executive John Feehan was in a buoyant mood prior to this year's tournament, stating they had the "biggest sponsorship in world rugby by a country mile", saying they had made contact with more than 150 companies.

Feehan talked about seeking a sponsor "who's actively engaged not just in Britain but around the world and see potential in markets like the USA."

The Guardian wrote: "...with the financial services sector no longer a major player because of tighter regulation and global brands not convinced about the value of a championship played in western Europe, tournament executives have found it a tough sell."