News
RFU announcement on final league positions
Bedford Blues have been confirmed as finishing in 8th position of the Championship table following an RFU statement this afternoon.
Calculated using a best playing record formula, Blues have finished the 2019/20 campaign with 46.36 points in 8th position.
As part of the announcement, unbeaten Newcastle Falcons have been declared champions and are therefore promoted, while Yorkshie Carnegie finish bottom and are relegated.
The RFU statement in full:
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.
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.
As a result Newcastle Falcons have been promoted back to the Premiership, while Yorkshire Carnegie are relegated to National League One.
The final Greene King IPA Championship table can be viewed - here
The Tyrrells Premier 15s season has been declared null and void as there is no promotion or relegation in this league.
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.
“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.”
Other final league tables will be available on www.EnglandRugby.com by 6pm, Friday 3 April.
