"Huge news" - Premier League football is a step closer to Twickenham

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has confirmed it's open to discussions about a groundshare at the home of English rugby, though any deal faces a major hurdle – local council approval.

The Blues have long mulled over how best to modernise Stamford Bridge, but with no clear short-term alternative, Twickenham – with its 82,000-seat capacity – remains firmly on the radar.

The venue was even discussed as a possible option as far back as 2017, with Chelsea revisiting the idea as they weigh up their redevelopment timeline.

With the RFU posting record losses last year, a deal with Chelsea could provide a welcome financial lifeline.

Sweeney hinted that the Union is keen to explore non-rugby revenue streams, but warned any such move would require amendments to current rules limiting Twickenham to just three non-rugby events per year, capped at 55,000 fans.

One major stumbling block remains: Richmond Borough Council. The local authority has the final say and may push back due to concerns from residents over increased traffic, noise, and footfall.

It’s not just Chelsea with eyes on Twickenham. Brentford have also been dragged into the rumour mill – hardly surprising given their CEO, Jon Varney, used to work for the RFU.

Varney was quick to play down the chatter, insisting there are no current talks about a move across the river. But crucially, he didn’t slam the door shut on the idea either.

And the Brentford–rugby link just got stronger. Varney confirmed the Barbarians will rock up at the Gtech Community Stadium on November 1st to face an All Blacks XV – a major coup for the Premier League club’s home.

The clash will be a sequel to their 2022 meeting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – the first international rugby game at Spurs’ ground – when a Scott Robertson-led Barbarians edged a 35–31 thriller.

For Chelsea fans, all eyes will now be on developments around Stamford Bridge. If work begins, a temporary home will be essential—and Twickenham could become a surprise Premier League venue.

The ball’s now in Richmond Council’s court.

So, where did make the cut? Scroll down to discover Nigel Owens’ full top five…

The first of the international grounds on our list of the best stadiums in world rugby, the atmosphere in Stade de France mirrors their national team: boisterous and joyful when on the front foot, but quiet and frail when behind.

Owens wrote: "When you’re inside the Stade de France it’s an incredible stadium.

"The atmosphere is up there with the best and I absolutely loved refereeing there but the actual location of the stadium is not the best, there isn’t a lot going on around it, it’s the total opposite to Cardiff in many ways."

He added: "I did the 2018 game here when Johnny Sexton kicked a 45 metre drop goal after 46 phases to win the match and set Ireland on their way to a Grand Slam that year. France had scored the only try of the match to take the lead in the 72nd minute and the crowd were going crazy, it was so loud and La Marseillaise was being sung.

"But Ireland were just relentless in that closing passage leading to the drop goal. People talk about the pressure on Sexton, well they want to know what it’s like refereeing at that stage of a match! You know any decision you make is probably going to decide the outcome. You can’t afford to get it wrong.

"But that stadium is absolutely rocking when France are hitting their straps. A special place to referee."

Owens wrote: "For me, few things beat Thomond Park on a European Cup weekend. That is an experience that should be on every rugby fan’s bucket list. When there are 28,000 in there for games against the likes of Toulouse, Leicester or Clermont – all of which I’ve refereed there – then it doesn’t half take some beating."

He added: "Refereeing Leinster v Munster in Dublin was one thing, but refereeing the same fixture at Thomond Park is something else entirely. It was a very difficult game to referee because of the intensity of the crowd and the players responding to that.

"When you are in that stadium and all those thousands of supporters are singing Fields of Athenry, it really is breathtaking."

Owens wrote: "I refereed Leinster v Munster here in the Heineken Cup semi-final in 2009. It was like an international day, there was a sea of blue and red descending on the stadium. The attendance of over 82,000 set a record at the time and the atmosphere was remarkable.

"That game was a bit of a turning point for Irish rugby because Munster were favourites that day and Leinster turned them over. Johnny Sexton came of age, Brian O’Driscoll was in his pomp and they ran Munster ragged that day. It was a brilliant game of rugby.

"I remember Derek Bevan telling me he’d never been involved in a game like it at club level because the atmosphere was electric. You knew you were part of something special."

For what England’s HQ lacks in atmosphere, it certainly makes up for it in occasion.

At 82,000 it is the biggest rugby stadium in the Northern Hemisphere, having witnessed a record 13 Six Nations Grand Slams for their home side.

Owens wrote: "It will always be a special place for me because it’s where I took charge of the World Cup final and my first ever Six Nations match, but there is more to this selection than just that.

"Surprisingly, for a match where the host nation wasn’t involved, with a lot of neutral supporters in the ground, the atmosphere was special."

"I say neutral supporters but it felt like most people in the ground had chosen a team to support, there can’t have been many who weren’t rooting for one team or the other and that added to the occasion. I remember some of the crowd outside wishing me good luck as we walked into the stadium, which was a nice touch..

"I’ve always enjoyed refereeing at Twickenham. I’ve taken charge of England games many times and I always got a great welcome there. It’s a lovely stadium and it’s always full.

"Sometimes it’s not as passionate as you might see elsewhere. Similar to my earlier comment about Munster v Leinster at Thomond Park, Wales v England at Twickenham and at the Principality Stadium are very different occasions. If Wales scored a great try at Twickenham, the majority of home fans would probably politely acknowledge it, I can assure you the reaction would be very different in Cardiff if roles were reversed!"

But Twickenham is still a fantastic venue, even though it’s not always a hit with Welsh supporters.

Nestled right in the heart of Gauteng Province, one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the world, Ellis Park takes Venatour’s top spot.

All Blacks legend Justin Marshall said of the 62,567 stadium: “Even the drive to Ellis Park on the bus is daunting, where often supporters push the bus, and certainly make it very clear you’re in enemy territory.

“On the field it’s an atmosphere like no other – hostile and very passionate. No coincidence that the Springboks play better there than at any ground in the country. They’re different beasts when they run on to Ellis Park. Something in them stirs.”

Owens wrote: "The game was South Africa v New Zealand in 2013 and the atmosphere that day was just something to behold. The game itself was just unbelievable and played at such a pace, without a doubt the best I ever refereed.

"The All Blacks won 38-27, there were nine tries and some of them were stunning. The crowd really got into the game, as they always do in South Africa, and it made for a truly special memory.

"The ground itself is not in a great place but there is so much history there with the 1995 World Cup final being played there. They did the same in 2013 as they did in 1995 as well when they flew this massive jumbo jet over the stadium. I was out on the field warming up and it was so low you thought it was going to clip the top of the stand."