COULD WE ALL FOLLOW RFU’S LEAD?

ENGLAND Rugby have announced a formula based on team records which will calculate the outcomes for their leagues – and one being considered by football officials.

The RFU cancelled the remainder of the 2019-20 season for all clubs below the Premiership on March 21 and adjusted league standings on Friday.

Championship leaders Newcastle Falcons received confirmation of their promotion on Thursday from the RFU, who have used a formula utilising a team’s average points-per-home-game and average points-peraway-game to steer clear of declaring any of their men’s competitions null and void.

Bill Sweeney, chief executive of the RFU, explained how the decision reached by their board was the fairest available.

“When the game stopped on March 14, 80 per cent of the games had been played and we felt that the most fair and reasonable way to approach this was to apply a simple formula in terms of home record and away record, apply that to the balance of games outstanding and then announce promotion and relegation. We did consult the game; the overwhelming response was that they had a preference to go that route.”

The Championship, the second tier of English rugby which is fully professional, has been slow to show any backlash to the RFU’s ruling, as is true at Levels 3 to 4.

Ealing Trailfinders had been the nearest rivals to Newcastle, unbeaten with 15 wins from 15, and trailed by 18 points.

Their director of rugby Ben Ward revealed they had sought legal advice last month as the RFU considered its options, but it is now understood Ealing will not challenge Newcastle’s promotion when six rounds of fixtures had remained.