Bristol Bears CEO Mark Tainton has revealed the club have put forward Ashton Gate as a potential neutral venue to host all or several fixtures in helping finish the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.
Premiership Rugby are yet to confirm exactly when or how the current campaign can be completed in light of the Covid-19 pandemic with professional sport in England shut down since mid-March.
Bristol Bears lie third in the standings with nine games remaining and have genuine designs on a maiden title or, at the very least, European Champions Cup qualification so are determined to re-start the season, if safe.
One idea that has been considered is to host each round of six matches, or potentially all 54 games plus the three play-off fixtures, at one designated stadium.
The BBC reported last week that Premiership officials have audited each of the 12 grounds with Wasps' Ricoh Arena and Twickenham not meeting the full set of criteria.
Speaking on conference call, Tainton said: "If a single venue is decided for the future of the competition, we have pushed Ashton Gate as a neutral venue to host the remaining fixtures this season.
"Ashton Gate is a tremendous stadium, a new stadium, we have all the new facilities for live games; easy access for all media and camera crews that will be required.
"Premiership Rugby have asked clubs if they're willing to volunteer or offer their stadium as a venue and we believe we have the facilities to do that so that's why we put it forward.
"We met all the criteria they were asking for but it's not a done deal yet, we're in a pile with another couple of clubs so we're just waiting to get all the feedback."
The concept of playing a number of games in one venue makes sense from a safety and logistical perspective for teams regarding testing, while also streamlining accommodation and training facilities and limiting the number of safety staff and officials required.
But it also seems to be driven by broadcast considerations with BT Sport wanting to relevise as many games as is possible, something that would be made considerably more challenging in the current climate if six matches were being played in six different stadiums around the country each weekend.
When asked if this means the remaining 54 Premiership games could all be played at Ashton Gate, or another stadium, Tainton admitted a decision is yet to be reached.
It should also be considered that the future of Bristol City's season also enters the equation as if the EFL agree the Championship campaign can continue, and football matches can be played at BS3, then that would complicate the situation and prevent the Bears from being the only host venue.
"There are variations out there at the moment - whether to use one or two venues, that's still to be confirmed and we haven't been given that information as of yet," Tainton added.
"BT will be looking to film as many games as they can. If that's two venues then they obviously have to double up with their camera equipment or maybe they do remote camera work, we're not sure.
"But we've offered our stadium and our facilities are excellent, that's why we believe we have the capacity to host these games."
