Whisky brand The Famous Grouse will continue its sponsorship of the Scottish national rugby team into a third decade. At the end of the new two-year extension, The Famous Grouse will have backed the Scotland side for 21 years. Even now, the partnership is the longest-running in international rugby.

"The Famous Grouse has been with Scottish Rugby since 1990, when we first sponsored the Scotland team on their tour of New Zealand hard on the heels of their Grand Slam," said Gerry O'Donnell, a director of The Famous Grouse. "Our sponsorship of the national team through until 2007 earned The Famous Grouse the title of the longest-running national team sponsorship in the world of rugby."

Official figures for the deal were not released, but it is thought to be in line with the previous contract, worth around US$700,000 per year to Scottish Rugby. Gordon McKie, Scottish Rugby's chief executive, said: "Scottish Rugby has enjoyed the support of The Famous Grouse for the past two decades and, particularly in these challenging economic times, it speaks volumes for the strength of our partnership that they have decided to once again renew that support."