Twickenham may stage other sports

Twickenham, the home of English rugby, may in future be used as a venue for other major sports - and possibly even the Olympic Games in 2004.

The Rugby Football Union wants Twickenham, which was recently given a pounds 70m facelift, to become more cost effective to supplement the handful of matches it stages each year. It is thought the stadium could play a major role if Britain's bid for the 2004 Olympics is successful.

Discussions have already taken place with representatives of rugby league and American football. Tony Hallett, the secretary of the RFU, said: "Applications for use of the ground will be considered, always bearing in mind its effects on the local community."

Such concerns are likely to put paid to any ideas of Twickenham staging a major football match. The stadium has yet to stage a night fixture, the floodlights having been used for the first time this season.