WRU weigh up London venues for autumn ties

WELSH rugby bosses are considering three different London venues in a bid to stage their autumn matches in front of fans, the Echo has learned.

Reports from London saying the WRU are on the brink of signing a deal to go to Twickenham are a little premature, we have been told.

Negotiations are ongoing with the RFU hierarchy about the prospect of Wales playing games at the home of English rugby.

However, we understand Wales are also in advanced talks with Premier League duo Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham about using their state-of-the-art stadia for the big rugby internationals.

Wembley, the home of English football, has been a fourth option under consideration, although it is thought Wales have pretty much boiled it down to a choice between the other three.

The WRU are exploring the option of a temporary move across the Severn Bridge with the Principality Stadium likely to still be a field hospital in October and November. There is also a feeling Boris Johnson’s UK Government will open the door for sporting crowds to return quicker than First Minister Mark Drakeford in Wales.

There will be inevitable concerns from some fans about Wales going into England to play their ‘home’ fixtures. But there is recent precedent, the WRU knowing one of the greatest moments in Welsh rugby history came with the Scott Gibbs inspired 32-31 triumph over Clive Woodward’s England at Wembley.

That never-to-be-forgotten 1999 showdown was officially a home match for Graham Henry’s victorious side.

Being able to play this autumn in front of even a limited number of spectators would enable the WRU to recoup some of the tens of millions they expect to lose from not being able to stage Test matches at their usual 74,000-seater Cardiff home.

Wales’ first autumn game is likely to be the re-arranged Six Nations clash with Scotland, possibly on October 31. Because of social distancing there would probably be a crowd limit of 40,000, whichever venue is chosen. It is thought the WRU will refund the 74,000 supporters who bought tickets for the postponed March match and open ticket applications again for the smaller number who would be able to attend on the new date.