Irish Rugby has confirmed that this season's domestic season has ended with immediate effect. 

The decision has been made due to ongoing safety concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Energia All-Ireland League (AIL) had already been on-hold since the announcement by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week that all mass gatherings would be cancelled until March 29 at the earliest.

The IRFU's Rugby Committee ratified the decision to end all the incomplete national and provincial championships.

Cups will be shared by finalists where cup final participants have already been decided.

There will be no promotion or relegation in any of the five divisions of the Energia Men’s All-Ireland League.

The planned expansion of the Energia Women’s All-Ireland League for the 2020-21 season remains in place.

IRFU Director of Rugby Development Colin McEntee said, "The decision to end the domestic rugby season for 2019/2020 season has not been made lightly.

"All options were discussed and the IRFU is satisfied it has arrived at the only equitable solution.

"These are challenging times for us all and we know clubs will be impacted by this directive, but we will look back at this season as one where we put the physical welfare of our rugby community above all else.

"Clubs are now in a position to make plans for the 2020/21 season. We look forward to marking the 30th anniversary of the All-Ireland League."

There will be no league or cup winners in any competition organised at a national level including the Energia All-Ireland Leagues, Energia Women’s All-Ireland Cup and the Energia Bateman Cup.

The Fraser McMullen U20 Cup, the Junior Interprovincial Championships and the round-robin qualifiers for the Energia All-Ireland League will not take place.

The Irish provinces are set for tough times financially as well, with the Guinness PRO14 season suspended indefinitely and the Grand Final in Cardiff cancelled.