PILL Harriers have welcomed the £1m cash injection over three years by Lloyds TSB to sponsor the nationals leagues from division 1-7.

Pill were the only Gwent side to earn promotion in the seven divisions at the end of last season.

They are now lying second in Division Four East with one defeat in six games and have progressed to the fifth round of the Principality Cup, awaiting the draw later today.

"With us running a mini rugby section, under-16, 17 and 18 sides plus two senior teams money is tight and this can only benefit us," said head coach Steve Pritchard.

Fellow coach Heath George added, "Our junior section is strong, but with former players and coaches coming in to help this extra money will be a big benefit to us."

WRU chairman Glanmor Griffiths welcomes the involvement in Welsh rugby of a firm of the status of Lloyds TSB.

"They are providing a major boost to the Welsh national leagues and the WRU with this sponsorship," he said.

"Lloyds TSB are providing a major boost to the Welsh national leagues and the WRU with this sponsorship.

"The investment in terms of money, commercial and promotional commitment and status is extremely valuable to Welsh rugby.

"This latest and most important sponsorship reflects Wales and Welsh rugby as a major player in the international rugby scene and ensures we have a clear and bright future for our national leagues in particular."

But Griffiths stressed there was no sign of a sponsor for the premier division, nor could there be.

"We need a settled Premier League structure before we can take on board a sponsor who would like a three year term," he said.

"But we are moving forward. David Moffett has been appointed and we've got a sponsor on board (Lloyds TSB).

"We've had hiccups, there was a delay in concluding the TV deal for the Six Nations Championship which was to some extent out of our control, but that has now been resolved."