Deep in traditional English rugby country, the 15,148 capacity Franklin’s Gardens, home ground of Premiership outfit Northampton Saints and a regular venue for Premiership Women’s Rugby side Loughborough Lightning.

The club made Franklin's Gardens its home in the late-1880s, with its current name was taken from John Franklin, a hotelier who bought the site in 1886.

Red Roses’ and Lightning centre Emily Scarratt said: “Franklin’s Gardens is a traditional rugby hotbed and we can’t wait to bring the Rugby World Cup there in 2025.

“We want to inspire the next generation of players in the Midlands and having one of the focal points for the region as a host venue will go a long way to doing just that.”