\n<\/p>\n
The RFU had been looking for additional investment and, in a document seen by the BBC, was considering selling their base in Twickenham and buying a 50% share in Wembley.<\/p>\n
Those plans were shelved in favour of redeveloping the stadium, which had been quoted at a cost of \u00a3663m by the Twickenham Stadium Masterplan Programme (TSMP).<\/p>\n
Woodward said Twickenham should be considered in the same breath as other iconic sporting venues such as Lord’s, Wimbledon and Wembley whose names are untouched by commercialism.<\/p>\n
“They haven\u2019t sold the naming rights to The Championships or Centre Court, they understand the brand value,” said the 68-year-old, who coached England between 1997 and 2004.<\/p>\n
“I take no comfort that Ireland, Wales, and Scotland sold their stadium naming rights. England should not feel proud.”<\/p>\n
Asked how much the deal with Allianz was worth, Sweeney said: “It’s a multi-year commitment and it’s well over \u00a3100m, so it’s a fair value for what you’d expect for stadium naming rights these days.”<\/p>\n