THE RFU have today cancelled the 2019/20 rugby season at all levels other than the Gallagher Premiership, meaning a premature end to the Worcester Warriors Women Tyrrells Premier 15s campaign.

Warriors Women, who were sat in eighth in the Tyrrells Premier 15s table, released a statement on the decision: "Today, in a letter to the rugby clubs in England, Bill Sweeney, RFU CEO, has confirmed the end of the 2019/20 season for all league, cup and county rugby in England with the exception of the Gallagher Premiership, which the RFU is in active discussions with.

"This means that Warriors Women’s Tyrrells Premier 15s campaign has ended.

"The decision to confirm the end of the season was taken to assist with long term planning and provide clarity to the game at a time of continuous change.

"The RFU continues to work on a range of options to support clubs at this challenging time and aims to outline these in more detail by mid-April."

Earlier in the week it was announced that rugby across the country had been suspended until mid-April but now the RFU have gone a step further and called an early end to the current season for all levels below the Premiership.

A statement from the RFU 's CEO Bill Sweeney read: "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.

"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 and 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."