RFU discussed selling Twickenham and buying 50% share in Wembley

[CharlieH]

 

The Rugby Football Union considered selling Twickenham and buying a 50% share in Wembley, according to a document seen by the BBC.

The Twickenham Stadium Masterplan Programme (TSMP) revealed that the RFU board discussed the proposal in March last year but no formal approach was made to the Football Association (FA).

 

The RFU will instead focus on redeveloping Twickenham, which has been England's home ground since 1909.

"Previous considerations looking at the viability of moving to alternative sites have been rejected," the RFU said in a statement.

The TSMP said the RFU wanted it to focus on exploring the 'stay' option and "did not advance the 'leave' option whereby the RFU would explore the potential to dispose of Twickenham Stadium and purchase a 50% share of Wembley Stadium".

England have played at Wembley twice - against Canada in 1992 and Wales in 1999.

Renovation plans in the TSMP include reducing Twickenham's capacity from 82,000 to 80,000 to "improve spectator comfort", repairing the roof and improving transport connections.

The work would be carried out between the end of the 2027 Six Nations and the start of the 2028 tournament.

Costs of £663m quoted in the TSMP are for completing the whole plan, but it will not be undertaken in its entirety.

The RFU said: "The RFU board has not agreed any new redevelopment plans.

"Work will be undertaken over the next 12 months to consider next-stage designs and assess what interventions might take place and when within the existing stadium footprint over the next 10 years."

 

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