RFU keeps options open on Twickenham naming rights

The Rugby Football Union has refused to rule out selling the naming rights to Twickenham.

The home of English rugby had planning permission granted in December 2016 to redevelop the East Stand, at a reported cost of £54million, and sponsorship money could come in handy.

Twickenham remains the only unsponsored stadium of the four home nations and new RFU chief executive Stephen Brown admits a commercial deal is possible.

Brown told The Sunday Telegraph: "We wouldn't rule out any appropriate commercial opportunity for the venue, the fan-base and the stakeholders.

"At the end of the day, we have an obligation to maximise the potential of our assets and ensure we have money to reinvest.

"We wouldn't rule it out at all, but it would have to be right. It's more than just the value - it has to match what we're trying to do here."

Brown did strike a cautious note when considering the future of the 82,000-seater venue.

He added: "Twickenham is synonymous with English rugby. Maybe there is a different way of doing it - you don't have to have a branded stadium."