RFU confirm Newcastle Falcons to be promoted back to Premiership

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) have announced Newcastle Falcons will be promoted from the Greene King IPA Championship to the Gallagher Premiership next season.

Newcastle were top of the Championship table, having won all 15 of their matches, when the RFU decided to end the season last month due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ealing Trailfinders were 18 points behind, having played one match fewer than the league leaders.

The RFU also confirmed the 2019/20 season for the Tyrrells Premier 15s will be declared null and void.

Saracens Women had been top of the league after winning all 12 of their games to date and held a two-point lead over Harlequins Women when the league was suspended.

In addition, the RFU announced final league positions will stand for leagues throughout the men’s and women’s community game.

The RFU said in a statement: “Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, The RFU is today announcing the final league positions for the Greene King IPA Championship, Tyrrells Premier 15s and men’s and women’s community game.

“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. The Tyrrells Premier 15s season has been declared null and void as there is no promotion or relegation in this league.”

A row erupted last month when Ealing director of rugby Ben Ward told the Rugby Paper his club were taking legal advice over the suspension of the Championship season.

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards branded the comments “distasteful”.

RFU President Peter Wheeler insists the decision to promote Newcastle is “fair” and “right”.

“We believe that the decisions made provide fair and balanced outcomes for the game and maintain the integrity of the competitions,” Wheeler said.

“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.”

(c) Sky Sports 2020: RFU confirm Newcastle Falcons to be promoted back to Premiership