Grassroots fixtures postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19 - RFU

(Reuters) - The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has confirmed that no organised league fixtures, with the exception of the Premiership, Championship and women's top-tier Premier 15s, will take place until January due to the tightening of COVID-19 curbs.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday announced new measures to tackle a spike in cases, with the restrictions likely to last six months.

RFU President Jeff Blackett said the decision to suspend leagues would give clubs clarity to help with planning.

"We will continue to liaise with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Public Health England to accelerate a return to competitive play as soon as it is safe to do so," he added.

(Reporting by Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)