BBC rugby union correspondent Chris Jones
Talk of selling the naming rights for Twickenham has rumbled along quietly in the background for years, but this has still come as something of a bolt from the blue.
The Irish, Welsh and Scottish unions have long since handed over their stadium name to a sponsor, but it had been thought the Rugby Football Union wouldn’t need to sell the family silver given its traditional financial might.
However the impact of Covid, the cost of living and a stadium in urgent need of a revamp have all contributed to the RFU taking this historic step.
Many supporters will baulk at this news, especially given the word “Twickenham” isn’t in the new name, but RFU bosses insist the money raised will filter down the game at all levels.
And while the figures are confidential, industry experts suggest the deal could be worth in excess of £100m over 10 years.
