The AIL will be run off in early 2021 over a nine-game campaign with semi-finals and finals in all men's and women's divisions - with no promotion or relegation.
The rugby club season in Ireland will be split in two for the forthcoming campaign as the IRFU focus on 'player welfare and COVID-19 risk mitigation'.
The first stage will keep all friendlies and competitive matches localised between September and December, and the second will see a re-formatted Energia All-Ireland League get underway in the new year.
The AIL is provisionally pencilled in to start on January 9, consisting of a nine game league season with semi-finals and finals in all men’s and women’s divisions.
The size and make-up of each 10-team division remains unchanged from the finishing positions of 2019-20 and, due to the shortened nature of the season, promotion and relegation has been scrapped.
"To ensure competitive rugby in Stage 1, all AIL clubs will compete in the Energia Community Series run across newly formed localised conferences," read an IRFU statement.
"Success in these conferences will bring with them both silverware and the chance to qualify for knockout rugby at an All-Ireland level in Stage 2 of the season.
"Details in full, including player welfare principles and COVID-19 Ordinance is available in the IRFU Club Competitions Season Outline 2020/2021 document which can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/ClubReturnToRugby ".
IRFU Rugby Committee Chair Greg Barrett said: “Our Return To Rugby Guidelines For Clubs mapped out a ‘safety first’ approach for clubs and we continue to be guided by this and the work of IRFU Medical Director Rod McLoughlin as we build towards a resumption of competitive rugby in 2020.
“While there are many factors which helped shape this season outline, you will see that player welfare and COVID-19 risk mitigation are by far the biggest consideration.
“We are also hopeful that a focus on keeping rugby at a localised level in the first stage of the season brings with it an opportunity for clubs to re-energise their membership".
