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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
David Craven

Super League 2023 season club-by-club guide as new season kicks off

The new Super League season is almost here as players, fans and clubs go into the latest campaign with renewed hope. There are also a number of key questions we should have answers to by the time next autumn's Grand Final comes around.

Can anyone end St Helens' hold on the Betfred Super League trophy or will they complete a record-extending fifth success? Have Wigan Warriors got what it takes to overtake them or will Huddersfield Giants - with Jake Connor back in situ - be the team to beat?

Will it finally be Warrington's year and will Leigh Leopards finally change their spots and avoid relegation? Here's a look at what's to come as Mirror Sport's Dave Craven sifts through each club to see what they will bring as we look forward to a campaign that promises plenty of twists and turns.

Castleford Tigers

Coach: Lee Radford

Captain: Paul McShane

Key gain: Gareth Widdop

Key loss: Derrell Olpherts

Predicted finish: Eighth

Title odds: 16/1

Verdict: They need new half-back pairing of Gareth Widdop and Jacob Miller to click - and stay fit - but could still be a real battle to make the top-six. And how will key man Joe Westerman pull up after his much-publicised off-field issues?

Catalans Dragons

Coach: Steve McNamara

Captain: Ben Garcia

Key gain: Tom Johnstone

Key loss: Sam Kasiano

Predicted finish: Fourth

Title odds: 8/1

Verdict: Big changes up front but still plenty of class, especially with Tom Johnstone’s arrival, and are always competitive under Steve McNamara.

Huddersfield Giants

Coach: Ian Watson

Captain: Luke Yates

Key gain: Jake Connor

Key loss: Ricky Leutele

Predicted finish: Third

Title odds: 12/1

Verdict: Not many better squads in terms of depth and some genuine star talent in their ranks, especially with the return of Jake Connor and acquisition of ex-St Helens star Kevin Naiqama.

Hull FC

Coach: Tony Smith

Captain: Carlos Tuimavave

Key gain: Tex Hoy

Key loss: Jake Connor

Predicted finish: Tenth

Title odds: 16/1

Verdict: Need new boss Tony Smith to sprinkle his magic but need new Aussie recruits to make an instant impression and are also without half-back signing Jake Trueman for the early months.

Hull KR

Coach: Willie Peters

Captain: Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Key gain: Tom Opacic

Key loss: Albert Vete

Predicted finish: Ninth

Title odds: 50/1

Verdict: With NRL trio Tom Opacic, Jesse Sue and Rhys Kennedy all arriving, new boss Willie Peters has plenty to work with but play-offs might still be out of reach.

Huddersfield Giants signing Jake Connor (Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

Leeds Rhinos

Coach: Rohan Smith

Captain: None named

Key gain: Nene McDonald

Key loss: Zak Hardaker

Predicted finish: Sixth

Title odds: 8/1

Verdict: Leeds improved vastly after Smith’s mid-season arrival last year to reach Grand Final but they’ll need to improve again to secure a top-six spot.

Leigh Leopards

Coach: Adrian Lam

Captain: John Asiata

Key gain: Ricky Leutele

Key loss: Sam Stone

Predicted finish: 11th

Title odds: 40/1

Verdict: With quality recruits like Zak Hardaker and Ricky Leutele the promoted club should have enough to stay up but they need some early wins.

Salford Red Devils

Coach: Paul Rowley

Captain: Kallum Watkins

Key gain: Ollie Partington

Key loss: Elijah Taylor

Predicted finish: Seventh

Title odds: 33/1

Verdict: Great news about Man of Steel Brodie Croft extending his stay and they should improve. But so should plenty of their play-off rivals…

St Helens

Coach: Paul Wellens

Captain: James Roby

Key gain: Tee Ritson

Key loss: Regan Grace

Predicted finish: Second (But Grand Final winners)

Title odds: 2/1

Verdict: No major losses to their squad and with Alex Walmsley, Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival all rested after sitting out the World Cup and Lewis Dodd fit again after Achilles woes, things look great for Paul Wellens’ first year in charge.

Wakefield Trinity

Coach: Mark Applegarth

Captain: Matty Ashurst

Key gain: Kevin Proctor

Key loss: Jacob Miller

Predicted finish: 12th

Title odds: 100/1

Verdict: Have plenty of potential but squad depth is a worry for Mark Applegarth’s first season as a head coach and could need Leigh to implode to avoid the drop.

Warrington Wolves

Coach: Daryl Powell

Captain: Stefan Ratchford

Key gain: Josh Drinkwater

Key loss: Gareth Widdop

Predicted finish: Fifth

Title odds: 8/1

Verdict: Powell under real pressure after a wretched year and star signing Josh McGuire’s seven-game ban after being sent off in a friendly is far from ideal. But they should come good and expect George Williams to be in Man of Steel running.

Wigan Warriors

Coach: Matt Peet

Captain: Liam Farrell

Key gain: Jake Wardle

Key loss: Tommy Leuluai

Predicted finish: First

Title odds: 10/3

Verdict: Impressed under Matty Peet last year and can get better again especially with Jake Wardle and Toby King looking to shine at centre but will it be enough to dethrone Saints…?

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