Olympic stadium designers Populous have been selected to design the new French national stadium of rugby by the French Rugby Federation (FFR).

Grand Stade FFR stadium, which is being developed by Paris-based architects Ateliers 2/3/4, will have a capacity of 82,000.

Construction work will commence in 2015 with the project expected to be complete by the end of 2017.

The FFR expect the venue to host 17-20 events a year, including five to six games of the French national rugby team and the final of the Top 14.

The stadium will feature a retractable roof and removable lawn and will host other sports and cultural events such as concerts.

Pierre Camou, president of the FFR, said: “Today, we have taken a fundamental step which embodies a strong ambition and a vital project for the FFR, allowing it to be autonomous and master of its future.

“Now we know what this ‘garden of French rugby’ will look like a modern, innovative and multifunctional venue which can take part fully in the national and international sports landscape.”

Populous and Ateliers 2/3/4 were selected ahead of more than 20 applicants including HKS architects and Foster and Partners.

Serge Blanco, vice president of the FFR said: “The proposal made by Populous and Ateliers 2/3/4/ proved to be the most suitable to meet the objectives and fits perfectly with the idea that we are creating the multifunctional stage par excellence.”