RFU FORCED TO ROW BACK ON TWICKENHAM REVAMP

£663m RENOVATION OR WEMBLEY GROUNDSHARE 'NOT FEASIBLE', SO IMPROVEMENTS ARE WAY FORWARD

- Nick Purewal

TWICKENHAM will be upgraded on a budget, with the RFU unable to afford a full-scale renovation of the home of English rugby.

The RFU weighed up an ambitious bid to buy half of Wembley Stadium, but have now ruled out a move away from the English game’s traditional west London home.

Measured improvements, rather than a total renovation, will be undertaken, with the RFU unable to afford a complete £663million redevelopment.

English rugby chiefs will spend the next year examining detailed plans for the first phase of any improvements within the existing footprint, with work likely to take place between the 2027 and 2028 Six Nations tournament.

An RFU source insisted a “mend-and make-do” approach would represent the most prudent way forward.

“England’s men’s team fixtures still represent the overwhelming majority the RFU’s revenue, and it is imperative that those streams continue,” an RFU source told Standard Sport. “The bare facts are that it is not affordable to carry out anything radical in terms of redeveloping Twickenham, especially after Covid and off the back of Premiership clubs going bust.