Yorkshire Carnegie have relegation fate confirmed

YORKSHIRE Carnegie will be officially demoted after the Rugby Football Union today confirmed promotion and relegation will go ahead in the Championship and throughout the community game.

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Following the early end of the rugby season in England last month as a result of Covid-19, how the competitions would be concluded had remained an opaque point.

However, the governing body has now ruled on 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.

Given winless Carnegie had lost all 14 of their league games before the campaign was aborted, it is inevitable they will end up in the third tier.

The final standings are due to be announced on Friday at 6pm so clubs across Yorkshire will be eager to see where they end up.

For instance, Rotherham Titans fear relegation from National League One while Harrogate were handily placed to earn promotion from North Premier when games were called to a halt.

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

RFU president Peter Wheeler said: “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.