Domesticseasoncancelled
The RFU have decided to cancel all domestic league rugby below Championship level amid the rising cases of Coronavirus.
Before the second national lockdown was announced on Saturday, the RFU had already made their decision after already postponing the start of the season twice.
Most of the South West leagues were due to begin this weekend which now would have been impossible anyway with the lockdown, but clubs now face a whole year without competitive league action.
In a statement on their website, the RFU said: “The RFU Council has made the difficult decision to cancel the Adult Competitive Leagues (Level 3 and below for Men, Level 2 and below for Women) for the 2020/21 season.
“We believe that, even if a return to full contact rugby becomes possible, playing a meaningful competitive league season resulting in promotion and relegation is no longer feasible.
“Given the Government’s additional restrictions to curb the increase in COVID-19 cases in locations across the country, and growing concerns around travelling significant distances outside immediate localities to fulfil fixtures due to increased risk of transmission, the decision has been made now so we can provide clubs with some certainty for the remainder of the season.”
Steve Grainger, RFU rugby development director, said: “We are very keen to see competitive rugby being played again and have been pushing extremely hard to accelerate return to contact rugby.
“However, we also need to be realistic about the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in society and, given the introduction of further regional restrictions, we are working with the Government to create alternative solutions.
“Progress has been made following productive conversations with DCMS and the Office of the Deputy Chief Medical Officer who have shown a willingness to work with the RFU to explore other available options.”
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I know that today’s decision from the RFU will be disappointing to players and fans across the country however protecting people’s health is absolutely paramount.
“The Government is continuing to work closely with the RFU on ways in which we can bring the competitive, community game back in some form ahead of a return to full contact as soon as the public health situation allows.”
Grainger added: “While many people have looked forward to contact rugby returning, we are receiving more and more feedback from clubs and players that adaptations would be acceptable.
“There is an increasing appetite to play an adapted format of rugby rather than having no fixtures at all.
“We will do everything we can to enable the rugby community to return to contact play as soon as we can, but our priority is to keep players, coaches, referees and volunteers safe.
“We will provide an update to our community clubs as soon as we can.
“We would like to once again thank everyone for their incredible efforts in implementing the necessary changes and for their continued support in keeping formats of rugby going in this challenging season.”
In a statement on the SW Rugby website, SW chairman Dave MCAteer said: “Although a league season will not be possible, work has been continuing to look at ways some form of friendly fixtures could be staged.
“Alternatives to put a shortened fixture matrix together is nearing completion and will be out in the very near future.
This will be based on reduced travel and provide local competitive rugby for those who wish to participate.
“Of course it will be dependent on government giving us the goahead.
“I can assure you that everyone at the RFU are fully committed to sustaining the long term future of member clubs and I recognise that whilst today’s news could have seemed like just writing off or abandonment of the entire season, that’s not the case, it’s more of a realisation that Plan A isn’t going to work, so in order to give clubs and players something to aim and look forward too, Plan B is on its way.”
Before this second lockdown, some clubs had been playing Ready4rugby, a touch version of the sport that was played via inter-club fixtures or tournaments and had been well received.
“It is likely that once the lockdown is lifted again, Ready4rugby would be the preferred playing option should any competitive rugby be allowed to take place.