Major League Rugby has called a halt to the stricken 2020 season. A final decision was made on a conference call this afternoon that will see no league games played until the 2021 campaign. Americas Rugby News understands that an official announcement will be made on Thursday.

The league initially suspended operations for 30 days last week due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to restrict gatherings to no more than 50 for eight weeks cast further doubt on the viability of the remainder of the season. Current models suggest such measures will carry on for months rather than weeks leaving MLR stakeholders with no option but to follow the decision made by the SLAR on Monday.

Discussions are ongoing about the potential to play exhibition games later this year once the pandemic has passed. The league is set to continue its online ‘Virtual Rugby’ tournament as a fundraising mechanism for the Feeding America COVID-19 Response Fund.

It’s a body blow to the league just five weeks into its third season but there are no suggestions that MLR is in any danger of folding entirely. Two new teams are still on track to join in 2021 though it’s anyone’s guess which of the big name signings will stick around after having their initial American adventure come to an abrupt and unfortunate end.