Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, The Rugby Football Union has announced the final league positions.
They’ve confirmed that Newcastle Falcons will be promoted from the Greene King IPA Championship to the Gallagher Premiership next season.
Newcastle were top of the Championship table, having won all 15 of their matches, when the RFU decided to end the season last month due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ealing Trailfinders were 18 points behind, having played one match fewer than the league leaders
Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is today announcing the final league positions for the Greene King IPA Championship, Tyrrells Premier 15s and men’s and women’s community game.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 2, 2020
Proposals from the RFU governance committee to conclude the season for those leagues at both professional and community level were yesterday ratified by the RFU Council.
It was agreed that final standings for the Greene King IPA Championship and men’s and women’s community game would be calculated on a best playing record formula maintaining promotion and relegation for those leagues. The Tyrrells Premier 15s season has been declared null and void as there is no promotion or relegation in this league.
Final league tables will be available on www.EnglandRugby.com by 6pm, Friday 3 April.
RFU President, Peter Wheeler, said: “We believe that the decisions made provide fair and balanced outcomes for the game and maintain the integrity of the competitions. We have listened to recommendations from the heart of the game and the approach has been ratified by the RFU Council.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Rugby stadium to be turned into huge 2,000-bed hospital
- England star slams ‘boring’ Six Nations TV coverage
- Owen Farrell’s fights: Five of his iconic SCRAPS
- 20 times Joe Marler didn’t give a RUCK
- Lawrence Dallaglio names his Lions XV for 2021
“This has been a difficult decision to make in the most unprecedented of circumstances. There is no single solution that will suit every club, but the approach taken is one that we believe best reflects the nature of league rugby in England.
“With 80% of the season complete for the community game, we believe our approach is fair and the right one for our leagues. We have clubs that are clear league leaders and those who have said they would benefit from relegation to play more meaningful rugby.”
ENGLAND WAGS |
1. George Ford – Jess Portman
Michelle Keegan lookalike Jessica Portman is a fashion promotion student and has been with the England fly-half for over three years and they’re now engaged.
2. Jack Nowell – Zoe Ann Pearce
Possibly the cutest couple in rugby share an equally adorable daughter called Nora.