RFU cancels grass-roots adult leagues for 2020-21

The Rugby Football Union has cancelled all competitive adult leagues for the 2020-21 season, ruling out everything from the third tier down in the men’s game and the second tier down in the women’s game across England.

In a statement released yesterday, the governing body explained that the men’s Championship “remains on course to start in January 2021”, but that everything below that, from National One down, had fallen victim to the pandemic. “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,” read the statement. “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. The Championship remains on course to start in January 2021, with this league subject to Government’s elite return-to-play protocols.”

The RFU has been in “daily contact” with the Government over restarting contact matches and hopes that some fixtures will be fulfilled. “Today’s decision will be disappointing to players and fans, however protecting people’s health is paramount,” Nigel Huddleston, the sports minister, said.