Super League to be determined by points percentage in 2021

The Super League table will once again be decided by points percentage, as it was in 2020.

This will allow for the possibility of postponements due to COVID-19, and clubs will be required to have played a minimum of 70% of their scheduled fixtures (18 out of 25) to qualify for the play-offs.

An RFL statement said: “The regulations surrounding postponements have been broadly carried forward from the 2020 season, with clubs permitted to withdraw from a fixture if they have seven or more of their top 25 players unavailable either because of a positive Covid-19 test or following test and trace analysis – or if they are prevented from playing or travelling to play as a result of governmental restrictions.

“The fixture will only be rearranged if both clubs have the same available match slot.”

Teams finishing level on points will be separated by a points scored percentage, calculated by dividing the number of points scored by the number of points conceded and multiplying by 100.

If four or more clubs have not played the minimum requirement of 70%, then the RFL board will have discretion to determine an alternative minimum figure.

There will not be dual-registration at this time, though the minimum length of a loan period has been halved from four weeks to two.

The Out of Contract date requiring clubs to advise players in the last year of their contracts of their intention with regard to contract offers will be put back from April 30 to May 31, to reflect the later start of the season – although players will still be able to speak to other clubs from May 1, as previously.