The Rugby Football Union has announced the end of the 2019/20 season following its previous suspension due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

This means that all remaining games below the Gallagher Premiership will now be cancelled and the leagues and competitions that are incomplete this season, originally scheduled to finish in May, will be now deemed null and void.

The organisation stated “In order to provide clarity and to assist with immediate and longer term planning, the Rugby Football Union is announcing the end of the 2019/20 rugby season for all league, cup and county rugby in England. The only exception to this is the Gallagher Premiership, who we are in active discussions with to review possible best next steps.”

The RFU state “We are ensuring colleagues and communities are given support to follow government advice and are providing recommendations on how to stay fit and healthy using individual training programmes. The RFU is also talking to government about how we can deploy and mobilise our own resources across England to support the vulnerable.”

Recently coming under criticism due to its fund cutting likely to hurt teams in the Championship and at grassroots levels this has been seen as another blow to those clubs, players and supporters involved in non-elite rugby in England.

Nottingham RFU who are sixth in the Championship table and were looking forward to a League Cup Semi Final in April against Ealing Trailfinders stated “the club had received the league’s statement with 25 minutes notice”.

Rugby Union fans have stated their discontent to treat all divisions bar the top flight differently but with the RFU stating this will be a loss making year the loss now on the organisation and the game of rugby in general in this country will now be a lot more.

*Main image @Champnews the Greene King IPA Championship for 2019/20 has been terminated with immediate effect.