Rugby specialRight, time to kick off with the rugby standings. We're considering European club rugby: the entire top flight in England, France, and the Celtic leagues; and all the other sides playing in either of the European cups this year.
The starter positions were (1000, 200) in England, France, and the Celtic League. In recognition of the slightly lower quality of Italian club rugby, they begin with (800, 160); the representatives from Romania and Spain on (750, 150).
Partial credit is awarded for wins by 6 points or fewer: the loser secures 0.2 of a win, and the winner 0.8 of a win. Larger wins are the usual 1 and 0, and draws are 0.5 of a win each.
The initial standings
Celtic League MUNS 1180 149.3 Munster OSPR 1134 141.6 Neath-Swansea Ospreys LEIN 1030 149.3 Leinster LLAN 1009 141.6 Llanelli Scarlets GLAS 1000 149.3 Glasgow CDFF 982 141.6 Cardiff Blues DRAG 955 141.6 Newport-Gwent Dragons EDIN 940 149.3 Edinburgh CONN 900 149.3 Connacht ULST 860 149.3 Ulster England SALE 1140 149.3 Sale BATH 1100 149.3 Bath LEIC 1060 149.3 Leicester SRCN 1040 149.3 Saracens HQNS 1020 149.3 Harlequins LISH 1020 149.3 London Irish NWCS 1020 149.3 Newcastle NHMP 980 149.3 Northampton GLOU 960 149.3 Gloucester WASP 940 149.3 Wasps WORC 900 149.3 Worcester BRIS 820 149.3 Bristol Spain ELSA 750 175.0 El Salvador France STAD 1209 135.2 Stade Francais BAYN 1097 135.2 Bayonne TOUL 1097 135.2 Toulouse PERP 1064 135.2 Perpignan MPEL 1048 135.2 Montpellier CLAV 1032 135.2 Clemont Auvergne BIAR 984 135.2 Biarritz MAUB 984 135.2 Montauban TOLN 976 135.2 Toulon DAX 936 135.2 Dax BRIV 920 135.2 Brive CAST 895 135.2 Castres BORG 887 135.2 Bourginon MDEM 871 135.2 Mont de Marsan Italy TREV 892 157.4 Treviso PETR 867 169.3 Petrava Padova PARM 777 157.4 Parma ROVI 770 147.9 Rovigo VIAD 760 169.3 Viadana CALV 733 169.3 Calvaniso Romania BUCU 750 175.0 Bucuresti
We'll return to the rugby every two months during the season; next time is at the start of December. These standings do not include the English fixtures played during midweek.
