Doncaster Knights 'reviewing options to maintain viability' after season ends early due to coronavirus outbreak

The RFU confirmed last week that all league rugby below the Gallagher Premiership has been brought to an end for the 2019/20 season due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Knights had seven games left to play including home matches against local rivals Yorkshire Carnegie and runaway leaders Newcastle Falcons.

All facilities at Knights’ Castle Park are currently closed until further notice.

President Steve Lloyd and executive chairman Tony De Mulder said in a joint statement released on Monday that the majority of Championship clubs backed the decision to end the season early.

“To continue with ongoing delays would have quickly taken the season past the 31st May 2020, even in the very unlikely event that the Government would allow the recommencement of all events in the UK by that date,” read the statement.

“This presented an impossible challenge as players would be out of existing contracts and the negative effect on budgets would have only increased.

“Questions have been asked why the Premiership league are being allowed to continue under a postponement with a continuing intention to recommence the current season as soon as possible.

“ However, PRL administer that league and, therefore, it is out of the RFU’s hands to also terminate the Premiership.

“Time will tell, but expert opinion throughout the world is convinced that the crisis will continue for months and not weeks.

“As a result of the above, Doncaster RFC, in common with all other clubs and businesses, is reviewing its options to maintain financial viability.

“The Government statement of support issued on Friday evening provides potential assistance but it will take some time for the detail to be clarified.”