Leagues are on hold until January 2021

»

THE RFU has decided that, with the exception of Premiership, Championship and Premier 15s rugby, no organised RFU or non-rfu Leagues including merit tables, adult or age grade competitions will be played before January 2021.

The decision comes following the increase in Covid-19 case numbers across the country which has led to additional government restrictions.

NCA chairman John Inverdale said: “The decision taken is understandable and it offers all our clubs a chance to take a deep breath and recalibrate for the period up to Christmas.

“It’s hard to know what the outcome might be but everyone involved with the NCA executive is working hard to find the best solution to an unprecedented dilemma – so that players, spectators and partners can have something to look forward to in the new year.”

Clubs can continue to organise non-contact fixtures with other clubs using Ready4rugby and other touch rugby activity.

Limited and restricted contact rugby training can also continue under Stage D of the Roadmap.

The RFU continues to talk with the Government about moving to Stage E on the roadmap should this point be reached at any time before Christmas. If this is the case, friendly matches could start.

The adult and age grade competitions groups will also be making recommendations on what they can do to ensure that any competitions from January are meaningful, including whether to make changes to the structured season.

Any decision to suspend promotion and relegation for the 2020/21 season would be referred to the RFU Council once the nature of the competitions is known.