Twickenham move for Chelsea?

Editor

Chelsea FC have sounded out the Rugby Football Union over potentially playing at Twickenham while their Stamford Bridge stadium is being redeveloped.

Chelsea announced plans to expand their stadium in June and although no dates for any work have been set out, the RFU says it has been contacted by the London club over the temporary use of Twickenham, which seats 82,000 people.

A move to the home of English rugby is unlikely to happen in 2015, however, due to next year’s Rugby World Cup.

“We are regularly contacted by a variety of organisations, within and outside sport, on a wide range of opportunities concerning the use of what we believe is a world-class stadium,” said the RFU in a statement.

“We have had an enquiry from Chelsea FC but have not had any discussions of any substance. While we don’t comment on any specific confidential conversations, each request is taken on its merit, assessing a variety of factors, such as the effect on the pitch, availability, transport and local considerations and other important implications.”

A Chelsea spokesman said: “We’re investigating different scenarios as part of the consultation process we started earlier this year, but have had no discussions of substance so far.”