Premier League giants wants temporary move to England’s Allianz Stadium

Thursday, 07 May 2026 at 09:54

bySteven Smith

RFU chief Bill Sweeney has revealed he’s open to letting Premier League giants Chelsea play at Twickenham while Stamford Bridge undergoes a major redevelopment.

The bold move would see the 82,000-seater home of English rugby temporarily transformed into a football fortress – all in the name of revenue.

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? Twickenham rent could rake in millions

Sweeney is determined to squeeze every penny out of the famous ground, which is currently limited to just three non-rugby events per year.

Hosting Chelsea would be a game-changer financially – with the RFU eyeing a windfall similar to Tottenham’s lucrative Wembley stint from 2017 to 2019.

Speaking about the potential move, Sweeney said:

“It would be a big financial number. The licence would allow it to happen, and there have been conversations previously about possible Premier League clubs coming here.”

? But Richmond Council could be a party pooper

While the RFU is keen, Sweeney admitted the local council could block the Blues’ arrival. Richmond’s concerns centre on increased traffic, noise, and fan disruption in the area.

“Richmond Council is more concerned in terms of impact on local residents, numbers of fans and so on. They’re a little bit more sensitive.

? Chelsea rebuild means temporary turf needed

With Todd Boehly's vision to expand Stamford Bridge from 42,000 to 60,000 seats, the West London club needs a temporary home – and Twickenham is being seriously considered.

If the move gets the green light, it would see stars like Cole Palmer running out under the posts instead of behind corner flags.

? Gigs, goals, and growing pains

The RFU is currently trying to loosen restrictions on hosting non-rugby events. Superstar Taylor Swift opted for Spurs’ stadium over Twickenham due to event limits – but Sweeney is pushing hard to change that.

“We’re making real progress with Richmond... We’ve just completed a survey of local residents and 75 per cent supported hosting more non-rugby events.”

?️ Twickenham’s £600m facelift still in play

While flirting with the idea of moving England’s HQ to the Midlands, Sweeney confirmed plans are still in motion to invest £600 million into upgrading Twickenham – keeping it as the spiritual home of English rugby.

“We’ve always said our preference was to remain here. Hospitality and ticketing are 50 per cent of our revenue – this is a really important part of the country to be in.”

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Four player who won’t play for England again under Borthwick

Here are five players who look unlikely to wear an England shirt again while Borthwick remains in charge.

1. George Ford

The omission of Ford wasn’t subtle.

After back-to-back defeats to Ireland and Scotland, Borthwick didn’t rotate his senior fly-half — he removed him entirely. With Fin Smith handed the reins and the coaching staff doubling down on a refreshed backline, it signalled a strategic shift rather than a temporary tweak.

Ford has been one of England’s most dependable operators over the last decade. But international rugby moves fast, and World Cup cycles move faster. At 30+, he now looks like yesterday’s solution to tomorrow’s problem in the eyes of the current regime.

Could he return in a crisis? Possibly. But coaches rarely pivot away from an established No.10 this decisively unless they’re planning long-term.

Right now, it feels like the page has turned.

2. Tom Willis

The situation surrounding Tom Willis is far more straightforward.

After deciding to move abroad, Willis effectively removed himself from the England equation under RFU selection policy. Borthwick publicly stated that England would invest time in players who will be part of the 2027 World Cup campaign — and confirmed Willis is not in that group.

That’s as clear as it gets.

Regardless of form, availability remains king in Test rugby. Once a player falls outside the strategic pathway, reversals are rare.

For Willis, the door doesn’t look ajar — it looks shut.

3. Zach Mercer

Few England stories have been as frustrating as Zach Mercer.

A standout at club level, Mercer has repeatedly found himself on the outside of England’s plans. After being told he wasn’t part of Borthwick’s vision, he openly admitted he felt “done” with England and needed to step away for his own mental well-being.

He later returned to France — a move that, under current selection rules, makes a recall even less likely.

The reality? Mercer doesn’t fit the mould Borthwick appears to prefer at No.8 — a more defensively dominant, collision-heavy profile.

With policy and preference both working against him, his England chapter appears finished.

4. Ollie Hassell-Collins

On paper, Ollie Hassell-Collins ticks boxes.

Size. Power. Finishing ability.

Yet despite strong club form, he’s remained stuck on two caps with little indication he’s climbing back into contention.

Wing is one of the most unforgiving positions in Test rugby. Once a hierarchy forms, it’s difficult to break back in — especially when coaches appear to have stylistic preferences locked in.

The longer Hassell-Collins remains outside the squad, the clearer the message becomes.

Sometimes absence says everything.

Quiz: Can you all of the Guinness Six Nations winning captains?

In the storied history of Rugby's Greatest Championship, exceptional leaders have emerged—warriors of various forms, be they agile half-backs, towering second rows, or fearless flankers.

Our latest quiz invites you to identify those who have captained their nations to Guinness Six Nations glory. It's worth noting that in certain instances, there may be multiple captains from the same year due to factors such as injuries and rotation.

Surnames only will be accepted.

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