PREM Rugby and Defender sign new five-year extension

PREM Rugby and Defender have agreed a new five-year extension to their long-standing partnership, taking the relationship into its 25th year during the 2026/27 season.

The renewed agreement will also see Defender installed as the Title Partner of PREM Next Gen, the recently revamped competition for club academies to develop the country’s best U18 rugby talent. Alongside the newly launched Defender Breakthrough Bursary, this reaffirms Defender’s commitment to supporting the future stars of English rugby and the player development pathway.

Defender will also work alongside PREM Rugby on a new six-part content series showcasing the people and stories within the league's academy system – bringing audiences behind the scenes to their journeys and closer to the action.

The partnership comes at a time of growing interest in PREM Next Gen, with the combined digital audience across the past two Finals Days exceeding 150,000, reflecting increasing fan appetite to follow the next generation of elite talent before they reach the Gallagher PREM and international stage.

Kelly Cooke, Commercial Director at PREM Rugby, said: "Reaching 25 years of partnership is a remarkable milestone and reflects a shared commitment to developing young talent and investing in the future of the game. PREM Next Gen plays a vital role in the player pathway, helping to prepare the next generation of Gallagher PREM and England stars. Together with Defender, we are excited to continue elevating the competition, growing its audience and showcasing the incredible work taking place across our academies."

Leonie Raistrick, UK Brand Director at Defender, said: "Through PREM Next Gen, we have a unique opportunity to support emerging talent at a pivotal stage of their journey while helping to tell the stories behind the academies that are developing the future of English rugby. We look forward to building on the success of the partnership over the next five years."

The new six-part content series will launch during the 2026/27 season, offering unprecedented access to academy environments across the country and highlighting the players, coaches and support staff shaping the future of the game.