Twickers misses out on Olympics

Twickenham, the traditional home of English rugby, will not host an Olympic sevens tournament if the sport wins its campaign to be part of the 2012 Games.

A vote on rugby's inclusion in the Games could take place as soon as July, at the same International Olympic Committee meeting where the 2012 host city will be decided.

It is understood that London 2012 officials have earmarked Wembley or the main Olympic Stadium in Stratford as the most likely venue for an Olympic sevens tournament.

Twickenham is regarded as being too far away from the athletes' village in east London. Also, officials are believed to be keen to use a venue that has already been set up for Olympic competition.

Rugby was part of the Olympics on four occasions. The last winners, in Paris in 1924, were the United States.

International Rugby Board chiefs have been lobbying hard for its return in the sevens form, which would allow more countries to take part such as Fiji and Western Samoa, which struggle to make an impact in other Olympic sports.

Britain would have to compete as one team, rather than as England, Scotland and Wales as they do in the sevens tournament at the Commonwealth-Games. But rugby will only get a chance to return if the IOC decides to drop one of the 28 sports in the present Olympic programme.

Meanwhile, Lions coach Clive Woodward is seeking to enthuse his squad at their get-together in Wales.