Castleford Tigers
After a slow start, Lee Radford’s first season at Castleford almost ended with the Tigers snatching a playoff place on the final day of the season. They just missed out, but after some eye-catching recruitment for 2023, will hope to go at least one better. The acquisition of Jacob Miller from local rivals Wakefield looks a good one and Castleford have the squad, and the coach, to make the top six.
Coach Lee Radford Captain Paul McShane Key player Gareth Widdop Last season 7th Prediction 6th
Catalans Dragons
Having been one of the most consistent sides last season, the nature of Catalans’ disappointing playoff exit at home to Leeds will leave them keen to put things right. Steve McNamara still possesses one of the most talented squads and while those around them have strengthened, the team from the south of France have the players, and the experience, to be pushing for a second Grand Final appearance.
Coach Steve McNamara Captain Ben Garcia Key player Sam Tomkins Last season 4th Prediction 3rd
Huddersfield Giants
Last year was a year of missed opportunities for Huddersfield. Their loss to Wigan in the Challenge Cup final was tough to take, but they responded well to finish third in Super League. However, they were beaten at home in the first round of the playoffs by sixth-placed Salford. The return of the mercurial Jake Connor from Hull FC certainly improves their hopes of claiming at least one piece of silverware.
Coach Ian Watson Captain Luke Yates Key player Jake Connor Last season 3rd Prediction 4th
Hull FC
It is a new dawn with the former Hull KR coach Tony Smith crossing the city to take charge of the Black and Whites. He inherits a squad in transition, with hopes being pinned on recruits such as Tex Hoy and Jake Trueman. They will be around the playoff mix, but Smith’s rebuild may be more of a long-term project than a quick fix.
Coach Tony Smith Captain Carlos Tuimavave Key player Jake Trueman Last season 9th Prediction 9th
Hull KR
Australian Willie Peters has been tasked with building on the good work done in recent years. No longer a constant mention in the relegation shake-up, Rovers are a club on the up on and off the field. They have a squad filled with talented young British players and appear to have recruited well. They are far too good to go down and instead look like one of a number of teams in the scramble for the playoffs.
Coach Willie Peters Captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall Key player Mikey Lewis Last season 8th Prediction 8th
Leeds Rhinos
What to expect? It’s hard to tell. They were in danger of going down before Rohan Smith arrived midway through the season and got them to the Grand Final. Leeds have recruited with more than one eye on the future and their squad does look a fraction light in terms of seniority in key positions. Injuries could hit them harder than most other teams.
Coach Rohan Smith Captain Leadership team Key player Harry Newman Last season 5th and Grand Final runners-up Prediction 7th
Leigh Leopards
The promoted Leopards have caused a stir with their rebrand from their Centurions name. They intend to cause a fuss on it too. They have recruited heavily and impressively, but Super League is a different level to the Championship, as almost every promoted team finds out. They have high ambitions of being nowhere near the bottom, which seems unrealistic. But strong home form could give them a chance of staving off the drop.
Coach Adrian Lam Captain John Asiata Key player Zak Hardaker Last season 1st in Championship Prediction 11th
Salford Red Devils
Have made it their business to prove the critics wrong in recent years and they did that again in 2022, getting to within one game of the Grand Final. With half-back Brodie Croft signing a new deal until 2030 – yes, you read that right – hopes are high Salford can challenge once again. They’ll cause upsets, but their squad depth, and the prospect of injuries to key players, may cost them the chance of a playoff spot.
Coach Paul Rowley Captain Kallum Watkins Key player Brodie Croft Last season 6th Prediction 10th
St Helens
It’s four Super League titles in a row and they don’t look like slowing down. Their squad is far from hitting its peak, with Jack Welsby and Lewis Dodd two of the best talented British players Saints possess. New coach Paul Wellens adds an interesting dynamic to their chances of a fifth title in succession, but he has all the tools at his disposal to create yet more history.
Coach Paul Wellens Captain James Roby Key player Jack Welsby Last season 1st and Grand Final winners Prediction 1st and Grand Final winners
Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield have entrusted their former head of youth Mark Applegarth to take them into 2023 and he has a tricky job on his hands. Trinity are often among the contenders for relegation and this year is no different. They have made some strong signings that will give them a fighting chance and they are always capable of an upset or two, but it looks like a shootout between them and Leigh to avoid relegation.
Coach Mark Applegarth Captain Matty Ashurst Key player Mason Lino Last season 10th Prediction 12th
Warrington Wolves
Hopes were high Daryl Powell’s first season would lead to silverware. Instead, they finished second-bottom. He has wasted no time in trying to avoid a repeat, releasing a dozen players and bringing in a glut of new talent. How quickly his new-look side gels will be key. If they do click, with England’s George Williams at the heart of it, it should be a much better second season in charge for Powell.
Coach Daryl Powell Captain Stefan Ratchford Key player George Williams Last season 11th Prediction 5th
Wigan Warriors
Matt Peet revolutionised Wigan, putting a frustrating few years for the club behind them by lifting the Challenge Cup. The one they really wanted, the Super League title, evaded them, but it is not difficult to see why he has opted to keep player turnover low . He has a squad capable of challenging once again and they feel like the biggest threat to St Helens’ reign of dominance.
Coach Matt Peet Captain Liam Farrell Key player Jai Field Last season 2nd Prediction 2nd and Grand Final runners-up
