Image: France rugby's current Stade de France home

The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has announced plans for a new 82,000-seat stadium to be built on the site of a former racecourse in Ris-Orangis - 25km (16 miles) south of Paris.

A FFR steering committee unanimously backed a bid from the City of Ris-Orangis, the town of Evry Essonne Centre and the General Council of Essonne for the project.

The proposed stadium will replace Stade de France as the home of the French national rugby union team and is expected to cost around EUR600m (US$754m, £481m).

Last October, three design teams - Populous and Ateliers 2/3/4; Foster + Partners and CR Architecture; and Arte Charpentier and HKS - were selected to draw up plans for the scheme.

The FFR is expecting to announce which design team has been successful later this year, with a process designed to secure a contractor to lead the project also due to commence.

It is thought the new stadium will incorporate a retractable roof and a moveable pitch, with the venue also designed to accommodate events such as concerts.

Serge Blanco, associate member of FFR's federal bureau and project leader, said: "The site in Ris-Orangis opens new horizons for the sport in France. It will become a showcase for French rugby."

Details: www.ffr.fr (FRA)

Image: Thomas Faivre-Duboz