RFU cancels adult competitive leagues for 2020-2021 season due to coronavirus
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 on Friday evening, 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.”
According to Friday evening’s announcement, the RFU has been in “daily contact” with the Government on the subject of restarting contact matches and hope that some fixtures will be fulfilled.
“We are very keen to see competitive rugby being played again and have been pushing extremely hard to accelerate a return to contact rugby,” said RFU rugby development director Steve Grainger.
“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.”
As Telegraph Sport revealed in July, the RFU has been hard at work to develop an adapted, non-contact version of the 15-a-side game. Grainger believes that clubs around the country will be eager to play under these conditions where possible.
“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,” Grainger said.
“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 during this challenging season.”
“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,” added sports minister Nigel Huddleston.
“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."
