Launceston will start the new season with a 20 point deduction as punishment from the Rugby Football Union for going into voluntary liquidation.

The club put its limited company, Launceston Rugby Football Club, into iquidation two weeks ago.

The RFU have also given Launceston a temporary playing licence.

The club have until 4 October to prove that their new business plan satisfies the RFU criteria in order to be granted a permanent licence.

In a statement the club said: "For Launceston Rugby Club Limited to be considered for permanent membership of the Union then it must, during the period of the temporary licence, meet a number of conditions to the RFU Board of Directors satisfaction, the process of which has already been commenced."

The club is among several rugby union clubs in the south-west to have faced financial difficulties in recent months. In 2009, both Plymouth Albion and Redruth were forced to impose pay-cuts on their playing staffs, while Cornish side Mounts Bay went into liquidation.

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