 Work begins on the South Stand |
The Rugby Football Union is hopeful Twickenham's South Stand will be ready for the grand opening on 5 November, when England host New Zealand. The project has hit delays and will come in slightly over its �105m budget.
The RFU has contingency plans in place should it not be finished, but chief executive Francis Baron is upbeat.
"Fingers crossed we are still on track to complete the bowl in time," he said. "As with all projects problems emerge, but I am confident it will be ready."
It would be a significant embarrassment for the RFU if the stand was not ready.
It had to win a court battle with the clubs in order to stage the international between England and the All Blacks after organising it against the wishes of Premier Rugby.
"We are working with the safety authorities as we go to iron out any problems so once the work is completed the safety certificate should be a formality," added Baron.
"We finished the lower tier in time for the Six Nations and the middle tier is just about in place."
England will use the �10m redeveloped National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey as their new training base for weeks leading up to Test matches, starting with the November internationals. The 12th Century Buckinghamshire abbey, owned by Sport England, replaces Pennyhill Park in Surrey, while the team will stay in nearby Marlow.
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