ST Ives RFC will return to the English rugby union pyramid next season.

The Hakes, who withdrew from the sixth-tier South West 1 West shortly after the start of the 2019/20 season, will compete in Tribute Cornwall 2 at the bottom level of the pyramid in 2020/21.

They will be joined in the division by current Cornwall 2 members Camelford, Perranporth, Redruth Albany and Stithians, as well as relegated Cornwall 1 sides Illogan Park and St Just.

The club's troubles began in the summer of 2019 when player shortages left them unable to fulfil some of their pre-season fixtures. although they managed to put a team together for their 89-14 hammering at Chew Valley in their 2019/20 South West 1 West opener on September 7.

That would prove to be the first and last time the Hakes would take to the field for a league fixture last season, with the forfeiture of their second game against Cleve being followed a few days later by the resignation of Director of Rugby Joff Rowe.

In his resignation message posted on the club's website, Rowe apologised "for the issues that seem to have come from nowhere in May and have dramatically escalated over the past few months".

The cancellation of their third game against Crediton followed before the club announced their intention to withdraw from all forthcoming fixtures while they made a final attempt to recruit players, before eventually withdrawing from the league in October.

The Hakes' revival began with a 22-61 defeat at home to Redruth seconds on October 19, before beating Hayle 28-21 on Boxing Day to win the Shield, played for annually between the two clubs, while their Cornwall Cup quarter-final at home to Cornwall/Devon League side Veor ended in a 35-29 defeat.