Manchester to be considered for future England internationals

The Rugby Football Union will consider playing future England internationals in Manchester following the success of England’s victory over Uruguay that took place at Manchester City’s Etihad stadium. 

Despite the hosts' World Cup exit having already been confirmed by prior defeats to Wales and Australia they were still greeted by a sold-out crowd in Manchester last Saturday that saw England pummel minnows Uruguay to end the tournament on something of a high.

Stephen Brown, England 2015 managing director and chief financial officer for the RFU, insists the occasion and the potential benefit for rugby in the north had been noted in the corridors of power at Twickenham.

"It was an amazing success and the welcome we got from Manchester was unbelievable, full of buzz about what was taking place," Brown said.

"I believe that was as much because England were playing in Manchester as it was because it was a World Cup match.

"It's a commercial challenge hosting a game in someone else's stadium compared to your own, it's a different kind of arrangement.

"But the case has been made for us considering more games in the north if and when we can accommodate that.

"There's no question that it's the right part of the country to be celebrating rugby and that's why we took England to Manchester in the first place. It's a part of the world where we want to engage more people.

"In my personal opinion it's a good thing and I'm sure discussions will take place."

Brown revealed that because of his role overseeing delivery of the tournament he will take no be involved with the review of England's World Cup failure.