Rotherham Titans await RFU ruling on relegation

Following the early end to the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, the Rugby Football Union have stated they will announce final league positions for the Championship and men's and women's community game by 6pm based upon a "best playing record formula," maintaining promotion and relegation for those leagues.

Rotherham stood four points from the safety line with five games still to go when the season was abandoned. Speaking in last week's Advertiser, director of rugby Martin Jenkinson said it would be "massively harsh" if the Titans were demoted.

There had been hope the authorities would declare the season null and void, as has happened in much of domestic non-league football.

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 per cent 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.”

Final league tables will be available on www.EnglandRugby.com