The Rugby Football Union has confirmed the final league tables for all divisions outside the Gallagher Premiership.
All rugby in England was suspended on March 16 following the coronavirus outbreak, with the RFU confirming on March 20 that the campaign was to end immediately.
In a statement published on Thursday, the RFU confirmed that proposals to end the season were ratified by the RFU council, and that final standings for the Greene King IPA Championship and men’s and women’s community game would be calculated on a best playing record formula, maintaining promotion and relegation for those leagues.
The RFU's methodology uses a team’s average points per game total for home and away fixtures completed. This average has then been applied to all outstanding fixtures and added to a team’s league points total achieved in games up to March 16 to determine their final league position.
Play-off winners have been determined by which of the two clubs had the better percentage record in its respective league by taking the number of league points gained as a percentage of the maximum number of league points it was possible to gain in the final table.
It means that Newcastle Falcons have secured an instant return to the Premiership, with the Cornish Pirates finishing third behind Ealing Trailfinders, while Yorkshire Carnegie's relegation to National League One has been confirmed.
Redruth have secured a third-place finish in National League 2 South, while Camborne have finished ninth in the South West Premier.
St Austell have been pipped to the Western Counties West title by Wellington by virtue of the Somerset side's two games in hand, but the Saints will join Wellington in South West 1 West next season via the play-off calculation.
Penryn finish sixth and Falmouth's survival is confirmed with the Eagles in tenth spot.
Despite their two games in hand over Wiveliscombe, Saltash have been relegated back down to Cornwall/Devon alongside bottom club Cullompton.
Truro's expected promotion back to Western Counties West has been confirmed, with the Cornish club strolling to the Cornwall/Devon title.
Paignton finish second, meaning both sides have secured an instant return to Western Counties.
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