THE IRFU's deal with 02, and then Three Ireland has been in place since 2006.

THE IRFU's deal with 02, and then Three Ireland has been in place since 2006.

THE IRFU ARE are remaining coy on reports linking them with a bumper €50m sponsorship deal with Vodafone.

The Herald reported this morning that Irish rugby are set to sign a 10-year deal with the mobile phone operator, replacing market rival Three Ireland as sponsor of the team.

When contacted by The42.ie, the IRFU said they would not comment on any speculation linking them with the record-breaking deal.

The reported deal is set to smash the previous €2.65m-a -year deal in place, with Three Ireland’s logo appearing on Irish jerseys since their parent company Hutchison Whampoa acquired O2 Ireland last year.

It’s reported that the new deal with Vodafone will see the Irish team wear their logo on their shirts from the start of the 2016 Six Nations Championship.

Three Ireland, and previously 02, had been sponsoring Ireland since 2006, but were said to unwilling to match the €50m commitment from their rivals, almost double what their current agreement had been worth.

In 2014 Ireland signed a €20m deal with kit manufacturer Canterbury after ending their record breaking deal with Puma early, and will reveal their new jersey for the World Cup tomorrow.