Syrian billionaire Mohed Altrad "is in talks for his construction company to take over as the headline sponsor" of the Six Nations with "immediate effect," according to Nik Simon of the London DAILY MAIL. Tournament execs "are yet to find a replacement for long-term backer RBS," although NatWest has made a "cut-price bid" for the '18 rights. Despite the competition kicking off in less than four months, Altrad Group "is hopeful of securing a long-term contract." Altrad, who owns Top14 side Montpellier, said, "Altrad Group is in talks. The tender process is still out for the 2018 competition so we have maybe two months to come to an agreement if it is going to happen." Six Nations CEO John Feehan initially set out to secure a £100M ($130.8M) deal over six years. That represented a £6M ($7.9M)-per-year price hike and Feehan "has since had to revise the cost amid tough market conditions linked to Brexit." But Altrad, "who made his fortune in scaffolding having grown up as a poverty-stricken Bedouin in the desert, is primed to make his move." He said, "They are asking for a lot of money but the money is not a problem for us" (DAILY MAIL, 11/4).
