The Rugby Football Union has appointed consultant Capita Symonds project manager for the £80m South Stand redevelopment of Twickenham Stadium.

The scheme, which was granted planning consent on 1 December, will increase stadium capacity from 75,000 to 82,000. There are also plans to build a 156-bed four-star hotel and a performing arts centre. The project won’t affect England vs France this weekend, though: demolition and construction will commence in June, with the entire stand structure scheduled for completion for the 2006 autumn internationals. The project team includes architect Ward McHugh Associates, structural, infrastructure and building services engineer Arup and quantity surveyor Stace.