Full time is called by rugby chiefs on current season

The body’s board first sanctioned an interim suspension of domestic rugby in the middle of March in recognition of Government and NHS advice on the developing Covid-19 virus outbreak.

However, since then, the preferred option to resume the season at an appropriate point is considered “not a reasonable prospect” in a safe and practical time frame, with further social restrictions on gatherings and travel.

At the date of the interim suspension, there remained 295 domestic adult male league fixtures outstanding, with additional cup, shield and bowl matches still to be completed, all being at the semi-final stage.

A number of age-grade competitions had also yet to be completed.

For comparison, only 15 fixtures remained unplayed during the Foot and Mouth affected season of 2000/01.

A Scottish Rugby spokesman said: “Ending the season now allows the sport in Scotland the space and time to restart the leagues when supported by the health advice and focus attention on supporting clubs through this period of financial difficulty, including – but not limited to – the recently announced Club Hardship Fund.

“The decision to end the season prematurely has not been taken lightly given the widespread implications for all participating clubs. It was decided that simply pausing the current season and re-starting from the point it finished in future months was not practical.”

Local clubs, including the Howe of Fife and Madras are believed to be consulting with each other now with regards to promotion and relegation from the various divisions.

At the time of the suspension, the Howe were sitting fourth in the Tennent’s National League Division Three having won 12 of the 17 games they’ve played.

Madras were seventh in the nine team Tennent’s Caledonia Midlands Region League Division 2.

Scottish Rugby is now open to applications for funding from its recently announced Club Hardship Fund.