Wikipedia

2023 Featherstone Rovers season

In the 2023 rugby league season, Featherstone Rovers competed in the RFL Championship and the Challenge Cup. In the Championship, Featherstone won the League Leaders' Shield having lost only two regular season games, but suffered a 36–22 upset in the play-off semi-final against London Broncos.

2023 Featherstone Rovers season
Championship Rank1st
Play-off resultLost in semi-finals
Challenge Cup3rd round
Team information
ChairmanMark Campbell
Head Coach
StadiumPost Office Road
← 2022 List of seasons 2024 →

Season review

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In October 2022, Sean Long was appointed to succeed Brian McDermott as head coach.[1] Featherstone began their Championship campaign on 6 February with a 50–0 win over newly promoted Keighley Cougars.[2] Featherstone moved to the top of the league on 19 February following a 76–4 win over Whitehaven.[3] On 12 March, Featherstone were knocked out in the third round of the Challenge Cup when Halifax Panthers came from behind to win 22–18.[4] The following week Featherstone resumed their unbeaten run in the Championship with a 34–6 win over Swinton Lions in Round 6.[5]

On 16 May, it was announced that James Ford had been appointed as the first Director of Rugby at Featherstone.[6] On 27 May, Featherstone faced one of Ford's former clubs, York Knights, at the Summer Bash where four tries by Gareth Gale sealed a 46–4 victory.[7] The run of league wins was extended to 13 games with a 64–6 win over Barrow Raiders in which Featherstone had ten different try scorers.[8][9] On 10 June, Featherstone suffered their first league loss of the season when Toulouse Olympique defeated them 36–18 in Round 14.[10] Following the defeat, Featherstone announced several changes to their backroom structure which included the departure of assistant coach Leon Pryce.[11] A second league defeat for Featherstone came in Round 21 against Halifax.[12] The match, which was scheduled for 7 August, was moved to a day earlier as Halifax were playing in the final of the 1895 Cup the following weekend.[13] On 7 August, Sean Long was sacked from his role as head coach and succeeded by James Ford.[14]

Featherstone secured top place in the table at the start of September with a 16–8 win over Bradford Bulls at Odsal.[15] On 23 September, Featherstone defeated Widnes Vikings 62–10 in the final round of the regular season. After the game they were presented with the League Leaders' Shield having ended 12 points ahead of second-placed Toulouse.[16] As league leaders, Featherstone had a bye in the first round of the play-offs before facing London Broncos in the semi-finals. London had finished fifth in the table, 18 points below the Featherstone, but were in good form having won 42–0 against Sheffield Eagles in the eliminators and they ended Featherstone's season by defeating them 46-22[17][18] before overcoming Toulouse in the Grand Final.[19]

Results

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Pre-season friendlies

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W Win D Draw L Loss

Date Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
Pre-season results
31 December   Castleford Tigers H Post Office Road W 26–10 Gale (2), Day, Kopczak, Lacans Hankinson (3) [20][21]
20 January   Hull Kingston Rovers H Post Office Road W 28–0 Briscoe (2), Kopczak, Gale, Hankinson Hankinson (2), Hall (2) [22][23]
29 January   Wakefield Trinity A Belle Vue L 12–24 Evans, Taylor Hankinson (2) [24][25]

RFL Championship

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Main article: 2023 RFL Championship

League table

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1   Featherstone Rovers 27 25 0 2 1079 295 +784 50 League Leaders Shield and qualify for semi-finals
2   Toulouse Olympique 27 19 0 8 834 385 +449 38 Semi-finals
3   Bradford Bulls 27 16 1 10 677 572 +105 33 Eliminators
4   Sheffield Eagles 27 16 0 11 780 560 +220 32
5   London Broncos 27 16 0 11 600 552 +48 32
6   York Knights 27 15 0 12 557 557 0 30
7   Batley Bulldogs 27 15 0 12 506 519 −13 30
8   Halifax Panthers 27 14 1 12 690 572 +118 29
9   Widnes Vikings 27 13 0 14 619 654 −35 26
10   Swinton Lions 27 9 0 18 426 739 −313 18
11   Barrow Raiders 27 8 1 18 471 672 −201 17
12   Whitehaven 27 8 0 19 481 809 −328 16
13   Keighley Cougars 27 8 0 19 506 837 −331 16 Relegation to League One
14   Newcastle Thunder 27 5 1 21 415 918 −503 11
Source: RFL
Rules for classification: 1) Competition points; 2) Points difference; 3) Points percentage (points scored/points conceded x 100)

Championship results

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W Win D Draw L Loss

Date Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
Championship results
6 February 1   Keighley Cougars A Cougar Park W 50–0 Dean (2), Gale (2), Aekins, Day, Hardcastle, Lockwood, Yei Hankinson (7) 2,443 RLP
12 February 2   Halifax Panthers H Post Office Road W 46–22 Aekins (2), Dean, Gale, Hankinson, Jones, Springer, Wildie Hankinson (7) 3,974 RLP
19 February 3   Whitehaven H Post Office Road W 76–4 Gale (2), Leilua, Aekins, Briscoe, Bussey, Davies, Dean, Jones, Kopczak, Lacans, Yei Hall (10) 2,248 RLP
26 February 4   Newcastle Thunder H Post Office Road W 56–6 Bussey (2), Hardcastle (2), Leilua, Briscoe, Day, Jones, Yei Dean (8) 2,489 RLP
6 March 5   Bradford Bulls H Post Office Road W 26–12 Briscoe, Davies, Dean, Ford, Gale Dean (3) 4,809 RLP
19 March 6   Swinton Lions A Heywood Road W 34–6 Evans (2), Aekins, Gale, Hardcastle, Jones, Lacans Dean (3) 1,090 RLP
26 March 7   York Knights H Post Office Road W 46–4 Gale (3), Cozza, Evans, Jones, Leilua, Taylor Hall (7) 2,892 RLP
7 April 8   Batley Bulldogs A Mount Pleasant W 26–18 Hardcastle (2), Briscoe, Jones, Leilua Hall (3) 2,287 RLP
16 April 9   London Broncos A Plough Lane W 40–10 Jones (3), Aekins (2), Day (2) Dean (6) 977 RLP
7 May 10   Sheffield Eagles H Post Office Road W 28–20 Briscoe (2), Aekins, Bussey, Hardcastle Dean (3), Bussey 3,187 RLP
14 May 11   Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium W 30–0 Gale (3), Bussey, Hall, Jones Hall (3) 2,832 RLP
27 May 12   York Knights N York Community Stadium W 46–4 Gale (4), Cozza, Evans, Jones, Leilua, Taylor Hall (7) 3,793 RLP
4 June 13   Barrow Raiders H Post Office Road W 64–6 Jones (2), Aekins, Briscoe, Bussey, Gale, Hall, Hankinson, Hau, Lacans, Yei Hall (10) 2,756 RLP
10 June 14   Toulouse Olympique H Post Office Road L 18–36 Briscoe, Davies, Hall, Hankinson Hall (1) 3,489 RLP
18 June 15   London Broncos H Post Office Road W 50–6 Aekins (2), Day, Gale, Jones, Kheirallah, Lacans, Leilua, Wildie Kheirallah (7) 2,255 RLP
25 June 16   York Knights A York Community Stadium W 24–8 Leilua (2), Jones, Kheirallah Kheirallah (4) 2,554 RLP, [26]
2 July 17   Whitehaven A Recreation Ground W 60–0 Leilua (2), Jones, Kheirallah (4), Aekins (2), Briscoe, Hau, Jones, Leilua, Springer Kheirallah (8) 841 RLP, [27]
9 July 18   Swinton Lions H Post Office Road W 52–6 Hall (2), Hau (2), Briscoe, Jones, Kheirallah, Lacans, Springer Kheirallah (8) 2,845 RLP, BBC
16 July 19   Barrow Raiders A Craven Park W 20–10 Briscoe, Gale, Hall, Hau Kheirallah (2) 2,361 RLP, Barrow
29 July 20   Batley Bulldogs H Post Office Road W 28–8 Hau (2), Smith, Taylor, Wildie Hankinson (4) 3,145 RLP
6 August 21   Halifax Panthers A Shay Stadium L 22–25 Briscoe, Kheirallah, Kopczak, Springer Kheirallah (3) 1,609 RLP
18 August 22   Sheffield Eagles A Olympic Legacy Park W 38–10 Hau (2), Aekins, Chisholm, Gale, Hankinson, Moors Kheirallah (5) 1,709 RLP
27 August 23   Keighley Cougars H Post Office Road W 36–6 Gale (2), Jones (2), Kheirallah (2), Leilua Kheirallah (4) 3,235 RLP
3 September 24   Bradford Bulls A Odsal Stadium W 16–8 Aekins, Day, Gale Kheirallah (2) 4,567 RLP
8 September 25   Newcastle Thunder A Kingston Park W 56–22 Gale (3), Hall (2), Cozza, Day, Longstff, Taylor, Wildie Hall (8) 747 RLP
16 September 26   Toulouse Olympique A Stade des Minimes W 29–16 Hall Jones, Kheirallah, Lacans, Leilua Kheirallah (4), Lacans (FG) 2,603 RLP
23 September 27   Widnes Vikings H Post Office Road W 62–10 Leilua (3), Aekins (2), Gale (2), Hall, Hankinson, Jones, Moors Kheirallah (9) 3,874 RLP

Play-offs

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Date Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
Play-off results
8 October Semi-final   London Broncos H Post Office Road L 26–36 Hankinson (2), Leilua (2), Briscoe Kheirallah (3) RFL
Team bracket
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Eliminators Semi-finals Grand Final
1 Featherstone Rovers 26
4 Sheffield Eagles 0 5 London Broncos 36
5 London Broncos 42 2 Toulouse Olympique 14
5 London Broncos 18
2 Toulouse Olympique 38
3 Bradford Bulls 22 3 Bradford Bulls 20
6 York Knights 8
Sources:Rugby League Project

Challenge Cup

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Main article: 2023 Challenge Cup

W Win L Loss

Date Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Report
Challenge Cup results
12 March 3   Halifax Panthers H Post Office Road L 18–22 Hardcastle, Lacans, Springer Hall (3) RFL

Players

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Squad

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Featherstone Rovers 2023 Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated:
Source(s): Rugby League Project,[6]


Transfers

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Gains

List of players joining Featherstone
Player Club Contract Date
Chris Hankinson Toulouse Olympique 1 Year October 2022[28]
Mathieu Cozza Catalans Dragons 1 Year October 2022[29]
Thomas Lacans Newcastle Thunder [20]
Elijah Taylor Salford Red Devils [20]
Riley Dean Warrington Wolves [20]
Caleb Aekins Leigh Leopards 2 Years November 2022[30]
McKenzie Yei Queensland Capras 1 Year December 2022[31]
Kyle Evans Wakefield Trinity 1 Year January 2023[32]
Brad Day Newcastle Thunder [20]

Losses

List of players leaving Featherstone
Player Club Contract Date
Ben Hellewell Salford Red Devils [20]
Adam Cuthbertson Retired [20]
Jesse Sene-Lefao Sheffield Eagles [20]
Callum Field Widnes Vikings [20]
Jacob Doyle Dewsbury Rams [20]
Morgan Smith Wakefield Trinity 2 Year October 2022[33]
Brett Ferres Doncaster [20]
Loui McConnell Doncaster [20]
Ryley Jacks Released November 2022[34]

References

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  1. ^ "Featherstone appoint Sean Long to guide Rovers to Super League". Love Rugby League. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Betfred Championship Round-Up | Round One". RFL. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Betfred Championship Round-Up | Round Three". RFL. 19 February 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Betfred Challenge Cup | Round Three Round-Up". RFL. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Betfred Championship Round-Up | Round Six". RFL. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Featherstone appoint James Ford as new Director of Rugby". RFL. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Summer Bash Round-Up". RFL. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Betfred Championship Preview | Round 14". RFL. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Betfred Championship Round-Up | Round 13". RFL. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Betfred Championship Round-Up | Round 14". RFL. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Featherstone Rovers confirm departure of Super League legend amid aims for full-time model". Love Rugby League. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Sean Long left frustrated as Featherstone Rovers suffer only their second league defeat of the season at Halifax Panthers". Wakefield Express. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Halifax Panthers vs Featherstone Rovers fixture rescheduled". RFL. 28 July 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Featherstone Rovers sack Sean Long; James Ford to lead promotion charge". Love Rugby League. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Betfred Championship Preview Round 25". RFL. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Betfred Championship Round-Up | Round 27". RFL. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Betfred Championship Preview | Featherstone Rovers v London Broncos". RFL. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  18. ^ "London Broncos stun promotion favourites Featherstone Rovers to set up all-expansion play-off final". Love Rugby league. 8 October 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  19. ^ "London Broncos defeat Toulouse in Betfred Championship Grand Final". RFL. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "2023 Betfred Championship Preview | Featherstone Rovers". RFL. 21 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Rovers see out 2022 in style". Featherstone Rovers. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Friendly Matches Round-Up". RFL. 22 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Match Report; Featherstone Vs Hull KR". Featherstone Rovers. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Friendly Matches Round-Up". RFL. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  25. ^ "Rovers take learning points from friendly defeat". Featherstone Rovers. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  26. ^ "York City Knights v Featherstone Rovers – Rugby League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  27. ^ "Whitehaven v Featherstone Rovers – Rugby League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  28. ^ "Chris Hankinson departs Toulouse for Championship rivals". 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Featherstone Rovers snap up Catalans Dragons forward". Love Rugby League. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Former Leigh full-back Caleb Aekins joins Championship rivals". Love Rugby League. 29 November 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Featherstone Rovers sign McKenzie Yei and James Lockwood". RFL. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Former Wakefield winger Kyle Evans finds new club for 2023". Love Rugby League. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Morgan Smith: Wakefield Trinity sign Featherstone Rovers half-back". BBC Sport. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Featherstone half-back released to return to Australia". Love Rugby League. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
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