THE Rugby Football Union announced yesterday that Lehman Brothers, the global investment bank, will be the exclusive sponsor of rugby's 125th Varsity Match.
The historic clash between Oxford and Cambridge universities takes place at Twickenham on Tuesday December 12.
The RFU had been searching for a sponsor following the withdrawal of MMC (previously Bowrings), who had backed the match since 1976.
That 30-year deal was the longest sponsorship in world rugby.
Lehman Brothers are also supporting the Women's Varsity Match which will take place at Cambridge on Saturday March 10.
It's the first time that both matches have been backed by the same sponsor.
Of the previous 124 Varsity matches, Cambridge have won 58 times and Oxford 52, and there have been 14 draws.
Paul Vaughan, business operations director for the Rugby Football Union said: "We are delighted to have Lehman Brothers as our corporate sponsor.
"The match remains one of the oldest and most popular fixtures in the rugby calendar."
Jeremy Isaacs, chief executive officer of Lehman Brothers Europe and Asia, said: "I am delighted that we are able to be associated with such a prestigious event and with these two great and historic universities."
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