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.

Skinstad and Fitzpatrick have opted for the name London Tribe and last month created a website under that name.

All three consortiums are targeting Loftus Road as a potential home after buying a club from another area of England. The aim is to tap into the estimated 500,000 South African nationals in London and the involvement of Fitzpatrick is aimed at targeting New Zealanders and Australians also in the capital.

A leading member of one of the consortiums said: "There are some seriously rich people in South Africa who have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of investment opportunities in their own country.

"That is why they're looking at English rugby and, although the name suggests it would be all about creating a South African team here, everyone realises you have to include English players.

"However, I don't believe the timescale would allow this to happen by next season."

Loftus Road officials have met with members of one of the consortiums and have been enthusiastic about a groundshare with Queens Park Rangers following the decision by London Wasps to remain at Wycombe for another 12 months. But plans would become complicated if Wasps wanted to return to Loftus Road after that.