In line with current Government policy, all adult and age grade rugby training and fixtures must stop.

This means a return to Stage A on the Return to Community Rugby Roadmap for all players. Outdoor organised sport for disabled people is allowed to continue.

Community rugby includes all levels below the Greene King IPA Championship (scheduled to restart in March) and the Allianz Premier 15s and Gallagher Premiership which follow elite sport return protocols.

Read the full Government advice on what is and isn’t allowed during the national lockdown. The new restrictions become law on Wednesday 6 January, but people should follow them as of now.

There is an exemption in place that allows elite sportspeople (and their coaches if necessary, or parents/guardians if they are under 18) - or those on an official elite sports pathway such as players who are part of RFU/PRL Academies and England age grade squads - to compete and train.

The new guidance states that indoor gyms and sports facilities will remain closed. Outdoor sports venues, including rugby clubs, outdoor gyms, tennis courts, golf courses, swimming pools, archery/driving/shooting arenas and riding arenas must also close.

What exercise can I do?

Government advice says that people can only leave their home to exercise, and not for the purpose of recreation or leisure.

You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person from outside your household, or with your household or support bubble.

This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

You should maintain social distancing while exercising. Organised outdoor sport for disabled people is allowed to continue.

You can exercise in a public outdoor place including:

• Parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests
• Public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them)
• The grounds of a heritage site
• Playgrounds

"While this is not the way we hoped to start 2021, we all need to play our part and strictly adhere to Government guidance over the next few weeks to protect our communities and to enable the vaccine to be as effective as possible, so we can all begin to return to a more normal way of life, including rugby, in the coming months," said rugby development director Steve Grainger.

"We would like to thank you all once again for your commitment and resilience in the face of adversity.

"We appreciate the support you have provided for your rugby communities and thank you for your understanding during the toughest of times, for the sport and society as a whole.

"We will continue to monitor guidance and to progress negotiations with government to finalise plans for release of financial support from the Winter Sport Survival Package."

If you have any queries, please visit the England Rugby coronavirus support hub or contact ClubSupport@RFU.com