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RFU end domestic season with the 'exception' of the Premiership
By Online Editors
All rugby outside of the top-flight English premiership has been brought to an end as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision is in response to the Covid-19 pandemic with Twickenham keen to "assist with long-term planning and provide clarity to the game at a time of continuous change," the English Rugby Football Union (RFU) said in a statement.
The RFU is in active discussion with the Premiership, which has been suspended for five weeks.
The decision affects all league, cup and county rugby in England but the biggest ramifications will be felt in the Championship where runaway leaders Newcastle are targeting promotion to the top flight.
Saracens' relegation from the Premiership as punishment for repeated salary cap breaches has already been confirmed and the Falcons were in pole position to take their place.
RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said: "We are working through the implications of ending the season early and have instigated a thorough process to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game.
"We will communicate these outcomes by the middle of April. While we would like to provide all the answers now, we need some time to get it right for the best interests of the game."
Sweeney has warned that Twickenham is facing an uncertain outlook because of the disruption caused by coronavirus.
"We benefit from strong Twickenham stadium revenues but we are also exposed if there is widespread cancellation of games and events," Sweeney said.
"This was already budgeted to be a loss-making year within a 4-year cycle due to the costs of the 2019 RWC (Rugby World Cup) campaign and only hosting two home Six Nations games.
"The loss will now be considerably more as we face challenges similar to businesses across the entire country."
- AAP
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Latest Comments
I'm aware. England were only able to play that way because they were dominating the gainline and getting very quick ball. We won't be allowed those liberties against better sides and of course will have to kick much more but England's approach has been far too skewed towards low risk rugby. Their kick to pass ratio per possession was double that of France and their average ruck speed almost twice as slow. However, England put Wales away at the Principality more convincingly than every other team and it was the first performance under Borthwick where I felt the players were trusted to play what was in front of them. Even against Italy with a big lead we started box kicking at 50 mins and killed all momentum. The times England have looked best - 2nd half against France, Ireland last year and today are all games where they've played with positivity and backed themselves to counter attack and play multiphase rugby. The Scotland game we barely went more than 2 phases without kicking, that is not a recipe for success. Kick a lot by all means but we need to back our players to move the ball and play multiphase rugby in the right areas of the field and today we took a big confident step forward.
Go to commentsInflated ratings considering a narrow win against a mediocre opponent.
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