THE Rugby Football Union has today confirmed the final league positions for the 2019/20 season. League tables became available on the England Rugby website at 6pm this evening.

In light of all rugby in England being cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak, final standings were calculated on a best playing record formula maintaining promotion and relegation.

Although OEs were lying in eighth when the season was halted, the RFU formula means we finish in ninth with 13 wins from 25 games, while the Extra 1st XV finished as runners-up in the Raging Bull Shield behind Richmond Vikings.

Richmond are confirmed as champions of National One and gain promotion into the Championship while Hull Ionians, Canterbury and Rotherham Titans are relegated.

Caldy, already confirmed as title winners of National 2 North, gain promotion into Nat 1 and are joined by Taunton Titans who finished top of Nat 2 South when the season was suspended, and best placed runners-up Tonbridge Juddians

RFU President, Peter Wheeler, said in a statement: “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 worthy of promotion, but also other clubs who have said they would benefit from relegation, to play more meaningful rugby.”