SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: It’s about time that ‘the world’s biggest pub’ had a makeover – the RFU need to move with the times or fall behind at their peril

I didn’t agree with the RFU’s decision to do a sponsorship deal with Allianz which has involved changing the name of the ground we all know as Twickenham.

However, I am very pleased that the home of English rugby will remain where it has been in terms of its geographical position for many years to come.

To move the ground away from its current location to somewhere like Birmingham – as was explored by the RFU – would, in my opinion, have been an awful decision.

English rugby must always be associated with Twickenham, even if the stadium’s name is technically now something different.

I’m pleased the RFU are looking to update Twickenham and take the stadium into the modern era. If you look at some of the other sports stadia in England – let alone elsewhere around the world – it is clear Twickenham is now a bit behind. It is far from alone in being that by the way. Manchester United’s Old Trafford also falls into that category.

I didn’t, however, agree with the RFU’s decision to do a sponsorship deal with Allianz

It is about time that the RFU gave ‘the world’s biggest pub’ had a makeover – it is important to keep up with the times

I’ve been to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, for example, and that is just a wonderful, modern venue. England and the RFU need to move with the times and keeping Twickenham as a world-leading ground is a vitally important part of doing just that. In modern business and professional sport, you fall behind at your peril.

I particularly like the idea being proposed of taking out some of the seats. Less can sometimes be more. In the past I’ve raised my displeasure at how tight the spectators are packed together and how difficult it is to watch the game when those in the same area as you are constantly getting up to go to the bar or to the loo.

As I’ve previously said, Twickenham – or should I say Allianz Stadium – can feel like the world’s biggest pub and any steps to try and improve on that are to be applauded.

Taking out a few seats should make the experience better for fans who want to watch the rugby and not spend 80 minutes just searching for a beer.