2023 Featherstone Rovers season

Last updated

2023 Featherstone Rovers season
Championship Rank1st
Play-off resultLost in semi-finals
Challenge Cup 3rd round
Team information
Chairman Mark Campbell
Head Coach
Stadium Post Office Road
<  2022 List of seasons 2024  >

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.

Contents

Season review

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

Pre-season friendlies

W WinD DrawL Loss

DateVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Pre-season results
31 December Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers H Post Office Road W26–10Gale (2), Day, Kopczak, LacansHankinson (3) [20] [21]
20 January HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers H Post Office Road W28–0Briscoe (2), Kopczak, Gale, HankinsonHankinson (2), Hall (2) [22] [23]
29 January Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity A Belle Vue L12–24Evans, TaylorHankinson (2) [24] [25]

RFL Championship

League table

PosTeam
PldWDLPFPAPDPtsQualification
1 Fevcolours.svg Featherstone Rovers 2725021079295+78450League Leaders Shield and qualify for semi-finals
2 ToulouseRLcolours.png Toulouse Olympique 271908834385+44938Semi-finals
3 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 2716110677572+10533Eliminators
4 Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles 2716011780560+22032
5 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos 2716011600552+4832
6 YorkRLFCcolours.png York Knights 2715012557557030
7 Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs 2715012506519−1330
8 Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers 2714112690572+11829
9 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings 2713014619654−3526
10 Swintoncolours.svg Swinton Lions 279018426739−31318
11 Barrowcolours.svg Barrow Raiders 278118471672−20117
12 Haven colours.svg Whitehaven 278019481809−32816
13 Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars 278019506837−33116Relegation to League One
14 Gthundercolours.svg Newcastle Thunder 275121415918−50311
Source: RFL
Rules for classification: 1) Competition points; 2) Points difference; 3) Points percentage (points scored/points conceded x 100)

Championship results

W WinD DrawL Loss

DateRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Championship results
6 February1 Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars A Cougar Park W50-0Dean (2), Gale (2), Aekins, Day, Hardcastle, Lockwood, YeiHankinson (7)2,443 RLP
12 February2 Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers H Post Office Road W46-22Aekins (2), Dean, Gale, Hankinson, Jones, Springer, WildieHankinson (7)3,974 RLP
19 February3 Haven colours.svg Whitehaven H Post Office Road W76-4Gale (2), Leilua, Aekins, Briscoe, Bussey, Davies, Dean, Jones, Kopczak, Lacans, YeiHall (10)2,248 RLP
26 February4 Gthundercolours.svg Newcastle Thunder H Post Office Road W56-6Bussey (2), Hardcastle (2), Leilua, Briscoe, Day, Jones, YeiDean (8)2,489 RLP
6 March5 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls H Post Office Road W26-12Briscoe, Davies, Dean, Ford, GaleDean (3)4,809 RLP
19 March6 Swintoncolours.svg Swinton Lions A Heywood Road W34-6Evans (2), Aekins, Gale, Hardcastle, Jones, LacansDean (3)1,090 RLP
26 March7 YorkRLFCcolours.png York Knights H Post Office Road W46-4Gale (3), Cozza, Evans, Jones, Leilua, TaylorHall (7)2,892 RLP
7 April8 Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs A Mount Pleasant W26-18Hardcastle (2), Briscoe, Jones, LeiluaHall (3)2,287 RLP
16 April9 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos A Plough Lane W40-10Jones (3), Aekins (2), Day (2)Dean (6)977 RLP
7 May10 Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles H Post Office Road W28-20Briscoe (2), Aekins, Bussey, HardcastleDean (3), Bussey3,187 RLP
14 May11 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings A Halton Stadium W30-0Gale (3), Bussey, Hall, JonesHall (3)2,832 RLP
27 May12 YorkRLFCcolours.png York Knights N York Community Stadium W46-4Gale (4), Cozza, Evans, Jones, Leilua, TaylorHall (7)3,793 RLP
4 June13 Barrowcolours.svg Barrow Raiders H Post Office Road W64-6Jones (2), Aekins, Briscoe, Bussey, Gale, Hall, Hankinson, Hau, Lacans, YeiHall (10)2,756 RLP
10 June14 ToulouseRLcolours.png Toulouse Olympique H Post Office Road L18-36Briscoe, Davies, Hall, HankinsonHall (1)3,489 RLP
18 June15 Broncoscolours.png London Broncos H Post Office Road W50-6Aekins (2), Day, Gale, Jones, Kheirallah, Lacans, Leilua, WildieKheirallah (7)2,255 RLP
25 June16 YorkRLFCcolours.png York Knights A York Community Stadium W24-8Leilua (2), Jones, KheirallahKheirallah (4)2,554 RLP, [26]
2 July17 Haven colours.svg Whitehaven A Recreation Ground W60-0Leilua (2), Jones, Kheirallah (4), Aekins (2), Briscoe, Hau, Jones, Leilua, SpringerKheirallah (8)841 RLP, [27]
9 July18 Swintoncolours.svg Swinton Lions H Post Office Road W52-6Hall (2), Hau (2), Briscoe, Jones, Kheirallah, Lacans, SpringerKheirallah (8)2,845 RLP, BBC
16 July19 Barrowcolours.svg Barrow Raiders A Craven Park W20-10Briscoe, Gale, Hall, HauKheirallah (2)2,361 RLP, Barrow
29 July20 Batley colours.svg Batley Bulldogs H Post Office Road W28-8Hau (2), Smith, Taylor, WildieHankinson (4)3,145 RLP
6 August21 Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers A Shay Stadium L22-25Briscoe, Kheirallah, Kopczak, SpringerKheirallah (3)1,609 RLP
18 August22 Sheffeagles colours.svg Sheffield Eagles A Olympic Legacy Park W38-10Hau (2), Aekins, Chisholm, Gale, Hankinson, MoorsKheirallah (5)1,709 RLP
27 August23 Cougscolours.svg Keighley Cougars H Post Office Road W36-6Gale (2), Jones (2), Kheirallah (2), LeiluaKheirallah (4)3,235 RLP
3 September24 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls A Odsal Stadium W16-8Aekins, Day, GaleKheirallah (2)4,567 RLP
8 September25 Gthundercolours.svg Newcastle Thunder A Kingston Park W56-22Gale (3), Hall (2), Cozza, Day, Longstff, Taylor, WildieHall (8)747 RLP
16 September26 ToulouseRLcolours.png Toulouse Olympique A Stade des Minimes W29-16Hall Jones, Kheirallah, Lacans, LeiluaKheirallah (4), Lacans (FG)2,603 RLP
23 September27 Widnes colours.svg Widnes Vikings H Post Office Road W62-10Leilua (3), Aekins (2), Gale (2), Hall, Hankinson, Jones, MoorsKheirallah (9)3,874 RLP

Play-offs

DateRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Play-off results
8 OctoberSemi-final Broncoscolours.png London Broncos H Post Office Road L26-36Hankinson (2), Leilua (2), BriscoeKheirallah (3) RFL
Team bracket
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

W WinL Loss

DateRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceReport
Challenge Cup results
12 March3 Faxcolours.svg Halifax Panthers H Post Office Road L18-22Hardcastle, Lacans, SpringerHall (3) RFL

Players

Squad

Featherstone Rovers 2023 Squad
First team squadCoaching staff

Head coach


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

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

Transfers

Gains

List of players joining Featherstone
PlayerClubContractDate
Chris HankinsonToulouse Olympique1 YearOctober 2022 [28]
Mathieu CozzaCatalans Dragons1 YearOctober 2022 [29]
Thomas LacansNewcastle Thunder [20]
Elijah TaylorSalford Red Devils [20]
Riley DeanWarrington Wolves [20]
Caleb AekinsLeigh Leopards2 YearsNovember 2022 [30]
McKenzie YeiQueensland Capras1 YearDecember 2022 [31]
Kyle EvansWakefield Trinity1 YearJanuary 2023 [32]
Brad DayNewcastle Thunder [20]

Losses

List of players leaving Featherstone
PlayerClubContractDate
Ben HellewellSalford Red Devils [20]
Adam CuthbertsonRetired [20]
Jesse Sene-LefaoSheffield Eagles [20]
Callum FieldWidnes Vikings [20]
Jacob DoyleDewsbury Rams [20]
Morgan SmithWakefield Trinity2 YearOctober 2022 [33]
Brett FerresDoncaster [20]
Loui McConnellDoncaster [20]
Ryley JacksReleasedNovember 2022 [34]

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References

  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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "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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