RUGBY bosses have denied they are in formal negotiations to buy Oxford's Kassam Stadium.

London Welsh have just issued a statement after their vice chairman John Taylor, who was managing director until January 1, said talks on a possible sale had begun. 

Chief executive Tony Copsey said: "There is no doubt that we as a club have enjoyed a very successful start to playing our home matches at the Kassam Stadium.

"We have worked hard to begin bedding into the local community in Oxfordshire.

"Achieving an over 10,000 crowd at the recent Wasp's match, supports our belief that there is a good appetite for Rugby in the Oxfordshire area.

"However any talk of us as a club buying the Kassam, is premature at best.

"Our immediate focus is on Premiership survival and developing our club as a business to compete within the top echelons of English Rugby.

"Certainly any purchase of the Kassam in the future, if we remain in the Premiership, would be something we would consider, but not without consultation with many stake holders including Oxford United Football Club."

The statement was released after stadium owner and businessman Firoz Kassam earlier said the site was not for sale, adding if Oxford United were interested the situation would be different. 

Earlier, when asked if the club would consider buying the stadium, Mr Taylor said: "We are certainly exploring the possibility. Conversations have been had with Mr Kassam and we are also looking at ways we can raise the money to do it.

"It's a big investment but in some ways it's a good one because it's bricks and mortar."

Oxford United supporters have also since reacted with concern over the news and say they would like to see a joint bid between the U's and London Welsh to buy the stadium.