Doncaster Knights: RFU end 2019/20 Championship season and all league rugby below Premiership

Knights therefore finish the truncated campaign in ninth position in the 12-team Championship.

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

Newcastle had won 15 games out of 15 and were in pole position to replace Saracens in the top flight following their relegation for repeated salary cap breaches.

The RFU remain in active discussions with the Premiership, which has been suspended for five weeks.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said in a statement: “My thoughts and those of all of us at the RFU are with everyone impacted by COVID-19 as well as recent flooding events, both across the country at large but also within our own rugby union community.

“In order to provide clarity and to assist with immediate and longer term planning, the RFU is today announcing the end of the 2019/20 rugby season for all league, cup and county rugby in England. The only exception to this is the Gallagher Premiership, who we are in active discussions with to review possible best next steps.

“When current government advice on social distancing measures changes, we will naturally encourage rugby training and friendlies to recommence.

“I would like to personally thank everyone for their swift actions in suspending rugby activity, this is not an easy time and I know many of you will have concerns that go beyond the game.

“We are working through the implications of ending the season early and have instigated a thorough process to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game. We will communicate these outcomes by the middle of April. While we would like to provide all the answers now, we need some time to get it right for the best interests of the game. Rest assured we are working on this as a priority and we will continue to send weekly updates to clubs.”