Flash new stadium may not be ready for All Blacks

Twickenham will host the 2007 Heineken Cup final, but the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) says it doesn't know if the ground's new-look stadium will host the All Blacks later that season.

European Rugby Cup officials have said the 2006-2007 match schedule includes a final in London over the weekend of May 18-20, but it is not certain whether the stadium, enlarged to hold 83,000 from November, will host New Zealand's opening match on their tour there.

In an effort to generate more revenue, the RFU plans to stage four rather than the usual three internationals next autumn and planned to use the All Blacks tour to mark the opening of the new south stand. The Guardian newspaper reported Britain's Guinness Premiership clubs are blocking such a game.

New Zealand are provisionally scheduled to play England over the weekend of November 3-4, but the premiership clubs have games planned and are seeking a hefty seven-figure sum in compensation for agreeing to an extra test.

It would be a significant blow to the RFU's finances if the high-profile fixture against the All Blacks had to be shelved or rescheduled, The Telegraph newspaper reported in London.

Paul Vaughan, the RFU's business operations director, told The Telegraph the union felt it necessary to draw up contingency plans.

"There is no confirmation yet as to whether or not we will be playing that game," he said.

England are also due to face South Africa twice and Argentina this autumn.

- NZPA