WRU PLANS FOR TWICKENHAM GAMES IN DOUBT

THE Welsh Rugby Union are on the brink of abandoning plans to stage autumn matches at Twickenham.

Officials have been in talks for several weeks with their counterparts at the RFU but have reportedly been unable to agree a financial deal to hire the stadium, according to a report in the Rugby Paper.

It means West Ham’s Olympic Stadium is now a frontrunner to stage the games.

Wales are due to play up to six internationals – home and away – this autumn.

The programme is due to start with the final match of the 2020 Six Nations against Scotland, postponed from its original date in March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

Twickenham had looked to be the favourite to host most of Wales’ home games, with the Principality Stadium currently out of action as it is on standby as a field hospital.

Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium is another option that has been considered, with Wales possibly set to play at more than one home venue.

Wales are also due to play England, Ireland and Fiji, plus one other side, in a new ‘Eight Nations’ tournament throughout November and into December.

A friendly against France is also reported to be in the pipeline for October 24.

WRU chiefs remain hopeful that fans will be allowed in to watch the games, albeit that is almost certain to mean reduced capacities due to social distancing guidelines.

The governing body is desperate to generate some muchneeded revenue from the matches as it stares at a potential £50million financial black hole as a result of the pandemic. But if there are signs of a second wave of the virus and the UK Government abandons plans to allow fans into sports venues and stadia, the WRU could still decide to switch the matches to Wales.

If that is the case, Parc y Scarlets would seem favourite to stage the games, though Rodney Parade, the Liberty Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium could also come into the equation.

Depending on the severity of a possible second wave of the virus this winter, there remains a strong possibility the Principality Stadium will be on emergency standby during the Six Nations.