The Rugby Football Union has confirmed the end of the 2019/20 season for all rugby in England, with the exception of the Gallagher Premiership.

All rugby in England was suspended on Monday, March 16, due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the RFU bringing the season to an early end to 'provide clarity and assist with immediate and longer term planning'.

In a message to the rugby union community, RFU CEO Bill Sweeney said: "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 Rugby Football Union is 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."

Sweeney added that a decision would be announced by the middle of April as to how the various league and cup competitions would be resolved, promising 'fair and balanced outcomes for the game'.

He said: "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."

At the time of the suspension, the Cornish Pirates were third in the Greene King IPA Championship, while Redruth were in the same position and challenging for promotion in National League 2 South.

Camborne were ninth in the fifth-tier South West Premier, while Penryn and Falmouth were sixth and tenth respectively in the seventh-tier Tribute Western Counties West.

Truro were 12 points clear at the top of Tribute Cornwall/Devon and looking set for an instant return to Western Counties West, with Pirates Amateurs in fifth and Veor in ninth.