All rugby in England has been cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak and proposals from the RFU governance committee to conclude the season for the professional and community game were yesterday ratified by the RFU Council.

Final standings will be calculated on a best playing record formula maintaining promotion and relegation.

A statement from RFU President, Peter Wheeler, reads:

“We believe that the decisions made provide fair and balanced outcomes for the game and maintain the integrity of the competitions. We have listened to recommendations from the heart of the game and the approach has been ratified by the RFU Council.

“This has been a difficult decision to make in the most unprecedented of circumstances. There is no single solution that will suit every club, but the approach taken is one that we believe best reflects the nature of league rugby in England.

“With 80% of the season complete for the community game, we believe our approach is fair and the right one for our leagues. We have clubs that are clear league leaders and worthy of promotion, but also other clubs who have said they would benefit from relegation, to play more meaningful rugby.”