Premiership rugby clubs are to receive a multi-million pound coronavirus bailout from the Government after opting to put their players on sabbatical during the crisis, The Telegraph can reveal.

County cricket clubs are also discussing following suit after being told doing so would also allow them to access funds made available under the coronavirus job retention scheme announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak just over a week ago.

Some lower league football clubs have already placed their players on what is being called ‘furlough’ – which will see the Government pay 80 per cent of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500 a month – with others expected to follow after the Treasury confirmed salaried athletes were eligible under the scheme.

Newcastle Falcons, who were top of the Championship when the rugby season beneath the Premiership was abandoned last week, have also placed all their players and staff on furlough at the same time as planning pay cuts.

Premiership clubs have already asked their players to take a 25 per cent pay cut, while Wasps have already placed the majority of their non-playing staff on furlough.