Fitzpatrick fronts £8m London club plan

Sean Fitzpatrick, the former All Black captain, has emerged as a leading supporter of a South African team of investors hoping to win the race to create a new rugby club in London.

Fitzpatrick, who has moved to London, has joined ex-South African captain Bobby Skinstad in fronting the bid which Standard Sport can reveal is one of three attempts to cash in on English rugby following the World Cup triumph.

But Standard Sport understands that the RFU stance against the proposal is hardening, and the authorities are likely to take a stand to protect the English game.

The investment groups in South Africa are putting together a financial plan which calls for £8m over three years to make the venture work. The groups have to find a First Division club willing to sell their franchise and that could be a stumbling block following the relegation of Wakefield, one of the clubs approached.

Skinstad and Fitzpatrick's group, funded by a group of investors including South African Johann Rupert, have targeted Orrell, although the Lancashire club today insisted they were not for sale.

Another group, which holds the patent for the name London South Africa, had visited Wakefield before they were relegated. And a third South African group have been in talks with Coventry, who already have plans to build a new stadium and require major funding to make them a force again.