RBS new commitment will run up to, and include the 2009 competition.

And to mark their continued support, they have commissioned the first Triple Crown Trophy.

Despite the Triple Crown's history there has never previously been a permanent memento for either England, Scotland, Wales or Ireland if they beat the other three home nations during the championship.

The new silver dish will be competed for during this season's tournament which kicks off on Saturday week when Ireland host Italy and England entertain Wales.

For such a long-running and much contested prize in rugby, it may seem quite surprising that no physical trophy for the Triple Crown has ever been adopted by the Home Unions, said Six Nations chief executive John Feehan.

To now have something that is tangible and so impressive will add greatly to the already ultra-competitive environment of the RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll added: When we won the Triple Crown in 2004 for the first time in 19 years, it was a fantastic occasion and one of the most memorable days in my career so far, but to have been handed a trophy would have been the icing on the cake.