Mailbox: Why Featherstone aren’t top of the Championship

Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Get your letters in now via email to: james@loverugbyleague.com

Dear James

Apologies if this has already been covered previously but I would be grateful for an explanation as to why Featherstone Rovers are second in the Championship whilst Toulouse are above them.

I understand the win percentage this season but both are on 100% with Fev having a better points total and points difference so, my logic suggests, they should be sitting at the top of the table with Toulouse in second.

Surely 13 from 13 trumps 9 from 9? As a lifelong Rovers fan it seems, to me, quite unfair.

Best wishes

Andy

Editor’s comment: I share your frustration, Andy! This is quite a good example of how changes in rugby league make it sometimes difficult for fans to keep up with what’s going on.

Even the official RFL website doesn’t display the proper table.

The decision of course was made at the start of the season to determine the final standings by Win Percentage, with the assumption that teams will not be able to complete all their games. Win percentage is calculated by taking the number of wins, divided by the number of games played, then multiplied by a hundred. Draws count as half a win in this scenario.

Featherstone, with 13 wins from 13, therefore have the same win percentage as Toulouse, with nine from nine.

However, Toulouse are placed at the top of the league due to their Points Scored Percentage – which is essentially the COVID replacement for points difference – being better.

Points Scored Percentage is calculated by taking the number of points a team has scored, dividing it by the number of points they have conceded, and then multiplying by a hundred.

Toulouse’s Points Scored Percentage is 492% (Scored 433 / 88 conceded * 100), while Featherstone’s is 345% (573 scored / 166 conceded * 100)

It is worth noting that while Toulouse have won four less games, it’s not their fault they have played less games – due to teams opting not to travel to France due to the quarantine requirements for part-time players on return to the UK.

What it does mean that this week’s game between the two clubs will provide a clear (albeit small) gap between the two – assuming it’s not a draw! – and is likely to determine home advantage for the Grand Final in the long run.

Mailbox gives you the chance to get your voice heard and start the debate with the rugby league audience. Get your letters in now via email to: james@loverugbyleague.com