Celtic League: Celtic League tournament director David Jordan confirmed yesterday the announcement of a title sponsor, widely believed to be cider company, Bulmers, should be forthcoming in the coming weeks.

The league has survived without a main sponsor for five seasons but finally appears to have reached an agreement with the drinks company. "I'm not going to comment on any commercial arrangement until such time as it is 100 per cent in place," said Jordan. "I am very hopeful in the next two or three weeks' time we will have a positive message to deliver but at such time we have no deal in place."

Jordan said details of the agreement, as revealed in British-based newspapers, were incorrect. A six-figure sum has been mooted per annum, with the deal to be renegotiated in 2009. Bulmers trade under the name of Magners in the UK and would be known as such in Scotland and Wales.

"I don't want to go into details as this may hinder the finality of the deal. I think that any company we agree with will be for a long-term arrangement. It may take time to develop. People don't put in an investment for just a year or two years. You would tend to want to enhance it as time went on. Look at the Heineken Cup for example."

Jordan also confirmed next season's Welsh fixtures would be played prior to the Six Nations to avoid disruption of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.