rugby league

After a narrow defeat to a title contender, one rugby league coach has laid down the law in what they’ve described as a ‘rant’.

Featherstone Rovers went into the 2025 Championship campaign expecting to be competing near the top and even pushing for silverware, however, they find themselves outside of the play-offs with seven games to go.

The Flat Cappers are only one point removed from the top six but they’re eight away from first, where they had been intending to compete.

On Saturday, they lost 24-22 to second-placed Toulouse Olympique but that result has seen head coach Paul Cooke send a message, to both the players and fans, with what he’s admitted is partly a ‘rant’.

Posted on the club’s website as ‘A message from Paul Cooke’, the message outlined the disappointment and frustration at Saturday’s defeat, send a stern message to players on seizing those wins and the correct mentality to have, whilst also calling on fan support for the final few games of the season.

Paul Cooke fires off in rant after recent Featherstone Rovers’ loss

Cooke, who is a rugby league icon, took over from James Ford earlier in the year and has helped improve the club’s form but they still shy of their target and this message made that clear.

It read: “Saturday’s game against Toulouse was an opportunity—an opportunity to come home with two points that we fully expected to take.

“As a group, we went to France with one goal: to win. We didn’t get the job done, and in our view, we handed that game away with four poorly-conceded tries.

“I’m extremely frustrated—not just by giving up 24 points, but by losing a game that was there for the taking.”

Cooke continued, stating: “That’s now two narrow defeats to teams positioned first and second on the league ladder. Two games we could—and should—have won. If we want to be a serious side, we have to learn how to win these contests. We need to be on the right side of those moments—not looking back with regret.

“Let me be very clear: if anyone thinks that pushing Toulouse close and that we’ve come a long way after a poor start to the season, is enough—then they’re at the wrong club.

“I don’t accept that mentality. Myself, Ged and Ian as coaches don’t accept us being gallant runners up in any game, let alone the games against the top teams in the league.”

The former Hull FC and Hull KR man then moved past his reflections and looked forward, calling for a united front before praising the supporters.

He said: “Now, after that rant, it should be obvious how I feel. But as I told the players after the game—this is only something collectively we can achieve by staying united, putting the team first and working hard to become winners in every game.

“I also want to acknowledge the supporters. To those who travelled to Toulouse—you were outstanding. We’re incredibly grateful for your backing and I know you understand it was a great effort from the players in France. But effort doesn’t win you two points.

“Your role as supporters is crucial—especially this Sunday. We’re back at the Millennium Stadium for a massive clash with London, and we need our biggest crowd of the season behind us as we start the charge towards the end of the season and push back into the playoff places.”