Premiership Rugby exploring with RFU opportunity to reschedule final for later in year
Wednesday 8 April 2020 17:00, UK
The Gallagher Premiership season has been suspended indefinitely but the intention remains to try and complete the season.
Premiership Rugby is in contact with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) about rescheduling the final - originally due to be played at Twickenham on June 20 - for later in the year, with 2,500 new tickets to be donated to NHS and essential workers.
The competition had originally been suspended for five weeks on March 16 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that suspension has now been further extended until it is deemed safe to resume the season.
A statement read: "Premiership Rugby is further postponing the current season, and working with the RFU, RPA (Rugby Players' Association), clubs' Directors of Rugby and medical staff to scenario-plan for a number of restart dates, with all measures put in place to ensure safety and wellbeing.
"[We are] exploring with the RFU opportunities to reschedule the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final until later in the year, with all tickets valid for the rescheduled date - and a minimum of 2,500 new tickets to be donated to NHS and essential workers by Premiership rugby.
"[Premiership rugby is] Continuing its dialogue with DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sport) and Public Health England to ensure it resumes play safely and promptly as soon as the government gives its approval.
"The intention is to play all games and complete the season as soon as it can be done safely.
"In the meantime, Premiership Rugby continues to give its full support to the lockdown measures and encourage everyone to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives."
Premiership Rugby's CEO Darren Childs added: "Following a series of constructive meetings with our clubs, investors, players' representatives, commercial and broadcast partners, and the RFU, we have agreed on our approach to restart rugby, as soon as it is safe to do so.
"This is not an easy conversation. We are dealing with a catastrophic pandemic that is unprecedented in our lifetimes, the effects of which are heartbreaking and devastating.
"We also must recognise that when the pandemic is finally at an end; there will still be the economic challenge for many years to come.
"The markets and businesses that people rely upon are not immune to this virus."
Exeter lead Sale by five points at the top of the Premiership table - while the relegation of champions Saracens has already been confirmed after they were deducted a total of 105 points, following salary cap breaches.
The other divisions have finished for the season, meaning Newcastle will be promoted to the Premiership for the next campaign.
