The Evening Standard claim in an article published today that London Skolars are negotiating with officials to make the Stratford venue their new home for the start of the 2015 season.

 

They could share the 25,000-capacity stadium with a rugby union club or League One football club Leyton Orient.

 

Skolars, who play in the game's third tier, believe such a move could prove key to them joining Harlequins, the only other London-based rugby league club, in the Super League.

 

Three-year licences starting in 2015 are up for grabs and a prestigious new home and the absence of a rival in East London would count in Skolars' favour, the Evening Standard claimed.

 

Several rugby union Premiership clubs, including Wasps and Saracens, have considered a move to the stadium but are concerned about leaving their traditional fan bases.

 

Premiership football club West Ham United were keen to move there but not prepared to have a running track round the pitch.

 

Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012, has consistently insisted that the track must remain after the Games to leave athletics with an Olympic-legacy.

 

Skolars were formed by graduates playing on Hackney Marshes just 15 years ago.

 

The club turned professional in 2003 and play in National League Division Two at the New River Sports Stadium in Wood Green, attracting around 500 supporters.

 

Hector McNeil, Skolars chairman, said: "London rugby league is crying out for a second top-flight team in the Capital and everyone would be happy with a London derby with the Harlequins.

 

"We've had talks with the Olympics consultants and are going through to the next stage on a shortlist basis.

 

"It would have to be a whole new set-up at the club aiming for a 5,000 average crowd and we would aim to ramp up all our capabilities."

 

After the Games, the main stadium will be reduced in capacity from 80,000 to 25,000 seats .

 

Negotiations over tenants for the venue are being handled by the freeholder, the London Development Agency (LDA).

 

A spokesman for the LDA told the Evening Standard: "We are looking at options to create a sustainable legacy for the Olympic stadium.

 

"As part of that process, we are having preliminary discussions with a range of potential occupiers.

 

"We have met the Rugby Football League but this is at the very early stages of the process to agree any tenancy."

 

The full article can be read at http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23484769-details/Olympic stadium set to host rugby league team/article.do.