THE Rugby Football Union have outlined a range of 2020/21 competition models that can be applied at different season start dates as and when it is deemed safe to return to play.

Earlier this month, the governing body issued a Return to Rugby Roadmap, which detailed six stages leading up to the eventual final goal of returning to full contact competitive rugby.

The models allow for any potential interruption in the season as a result of Covid-19, providing clubs, schools, colleges, universities and players with a framework for meaningful rugby, giving the season the ability to be extended to the end of May if needed.

The adult male and female competition models are based on three potential start windows and vary according to the size of the league, which will take priority over cup and county championships.

To best manage the uncertainties around a start date, leagues will be split into conferences from the start of the season.

In most cases, these will be organised geographically to keep travel down to a minimum in the early part of the season, which could also present the opportunity for more revenue generating derby/local fixtures and support player availability.

The competition models are as follows, though for more details on dates, please refer to the pictures provided with the article:

If rugby starts in Window One: Local competitions first, home and away competitions last

- Teams play home and away in their group - in a 14-team league separated into two groups of seven, teams play 12 fixtures.

- Upon completion of these 12 fixtures, teams play home and away against teams in the other group, meaning teams play a further 14 fixtures (26 fixtures in total).

- The league winner will be the team with the best playing record from all league fixtures.

- National Clubs Association (NCA) teams only – a full regular season of home and away fixtures will be delivered.

If rugby starts in Window Two: Local competitions first, home or away fixtures last

- Teams play home and away in their group - in a 14-team league separated into two groups of seven, teams play 12 fixtures.

- Upon completion of these 12 fixtures, teams will play home or away against teams in the other group, meaning teams play a further seven fixtures (19 fixtures in total).

- The league winner will be the team with the best playing record from fixtures played in both groups.

- NCA teams only – a full round of home or away fixtures will be delivered (15 fixtures). At this point the league will be separated into two groups of eight. Teams in the top eight league positions go into one group and the next eight teams go into another group. From here, teams play each other home or away in their group, thus a further seven fixtures (22 fixtures in total).

If rugby starts in Window Three: Local competitions only, a final play-off

- Teams play home and away in their group - in a 14-team league separated into two groups of seven, teams play 12 fixtures.

- There will be a play-off game between the group winners to determine the league winner.

- NCA teams only - a full round of home or away fixtures will be delivered (15 fixtures) – the league winner would be decided by the results of these fixtures.

RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger said: "The competition models we are outlining demonstrate our commitment to having competitive rugby played in clubs and education settings as soon as it is safely possible.

"In addition to the competition framework, we are working on plans with Sport England and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport about how we accelerate some form of a return to community rugby.

"We will share our work on this with you as soon as it is available."