TAUNTON Titans will not play league rugby this season, it has been confirmed.

The Titans won promotion from National 2 South last season, taking them up to National 1 level for the first time, but now the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Council has announced the decision to cancel the National League season for 2020/21.

The RFU believes that, even if a return to full contact rugby becomes possible, a meaningful season in National 1, National 2 North and National 2 South is no longer feasible.

A league statement said: “Due to the Government’s additional lockdown measures following the increase of COVID-19 infection rates in locations across the country, as well as the concern around travelling to fulfil fixtures which may increase the risk of transmission, the decision has been made to now provide clubs with some certainty for the remainder of the season.”

NCA chairman John Inverdale said: “The NCA executive had recommended this course of action and is relieved, albeit very reluctantly, that everyone operating at levels 3 and 4 now understands the situation.

“We are still very optimistic that some form of competitive rugby for NCA clubs this season will be proposed in the immediate future, to enable players, supporters and commercial partners, the opportunity to get back into the rugby environment.

“Talks are ongoing with the government, and the NCA exec is doing everything possible to make sure that clubs at our level are able to plan for the next six months, from a rugby playing perspective, but also to enable clubs to reboot commercially.”

The RFU said it has been in daily contact  with the government about moving towards some form of contact rugby that will enable as many matches to take place as possible.