The 2020-21 Energia All Ireland League seasons for both men and women have been cancelled. 

The decision follows a meeting of the IRFU's Union Committee and is the direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the country under level-5 coronavirus restrictions until March 5 at the earliest, only elite level sport is allowed continue.

With a return to play for club rugby unlikely to be permitted until the summer at the earliest, the IRFU have made the call to pull the plug on the current season.

It's the second consecutive season to bit the dust on account of the pandemic. The IRFU made the early decision in March of 2020 to bring the curtain down on the 2019-20 campaign.

The IRFU have also confirmed that the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Series will not take place until the 2021/22 season.

Chair of the IRFU Rugby Committee Greg Barrett said, "As COVID-19 continues to impact our lives we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2020/21 All Ireland Leagues and the women’s interprovincial championship.

"A huge amount of work is on-going, and we continue to look at avenues that may provide players and clubs with the rugby that they love.

"In the meantime, we will continue to innovate and develop education opportunities that can help players developing skills beyond the traditional forms of training for the game.

"With over 10,000 players signed up to our ‘Level Up’ workshops, we are helping players develop understanding and skills that will stand to them for many seasons to come.

"Our commitment to players and our clubs remains clear – we will continue to adopt a flexible approach to season planning and will proceed with rugby when cleared to do so by government guidelines.”

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