02 April 2020

Scottish rugby season cancelled with no promotion or relegation

The Scottish Rugby Union has cancelled the rest of the domestic rugby season and ruled there will be no promotion or relegation as a result.

The governing body has followed Wales, Italy and Ireland in scrapping the season as a result of coronavirus.

England have also cancelled the majority of their season with the exception of the Gallagher Premiership which bosses are discussing.

The SRU released a statement which read: "Five possible scenarios were presented, with around half of clubs favouring the null and void option.

"The remaining clubs were split between the other four options. The second most favoured option - finishing the season based on the league positions at the time of shutdown - received the support of around a quarter of clubs.

 "Further to the club consultation, the declaration of a null and void season was recommended by the Convenor of the Championship Committee, the Reserve League Committee Chair and the Chair of the Women's Competition Committee."

Dee Bradbury, Scottish rugby president, said she understood the action would have an affect on clubs.

"It was clear from the outset that, in terms of the consequential impact on the various leagues in terms of promotion/relegation there would be no 'right' solution particularly once it was clear that our preferred option of completing the season would no longer be possible.

"Every solution we looked at was likely to be problematic in some way - none was likely to be supported by everyone."

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