Castleford Tigers
Having narrowly avoided relegation last season, Castleford have used the off-season – and the relative safety IMG’s gradings system provides them – to rebuild with one eye on the future. Perhaps the most promising coach outside Super League, Craig Lingard, has taken over and set about overhauling an ageing squad. Only two of their winter signings are over 25 and while there may be a bright future ahead, this could be a formative and tough season for a young squad.
Coach Craig Lingard Captain Paul McShane Key player Jacob Miller Last season 11th Prediction 11th
Catalans Dragons
A rebuild in Perpignan leaves an element of doubt over last year’s Grand Finalists. Almost the entirety of their spine, Mitchell Pearce, Tyrone May and Sam Tomkins, has departed. The responsibility of steering Catalans back to Old Trafford lies on younger shoulders, with the France full-back Arthur Mourgue tasked with replacing Tomkins. Fortunately for Steve McNamara, he still has a wealth of talent to call upon.
Coach Steve McNamara Captain Ben Garcia Key player Jayden Nikorima Last season 2nd and Grand Final runners-up Prediction 3rd
Huddersfield Giants
One of a number of clubs who will expect a significant improvement after a disappointing ninth-placed finish in 2023. Ian Watson has recruited heavily again, but much relies on how well overseas imports such as half-back Adam Clune settle. There is no shortage of talent, but they still appear a fraction behind the leading pack.
Coach Ian Watson Captain Luke Yates Key player Jake Connor Last season 9th Prediction 9th
Hull FC
Like Huddersfield, Hull FC will be keen to show they are better than last year, when they limped to an extremely underwhelming 10th. The return of the talented half-back Jake Trueman to fitness will give them an undoubted boost and a rebuild of their pack means there is tentative optimism the good times could return on the west side of Hull. They will be in the mix for the playoffs, but so will a few sides.
Coach Tony Smith Captain Danny Houghton Key player Jake Trueman Last season 10th Prediction 8th
Hull Kingston Rovers
The ambitions are slightly loftier on the east side of Hull. No longer perennial relegation candidates, a run to last season’s Challenge Cup final has whetted the appetite for further success. They have once again recruited well, with the former Catalans half-back May and NRL mainstay Peta Hike eye-catching additions. The top six seems likely, but these days the expectation is to do better than that. They will want silverware.
Coach Willie Peters Captain Elliot Minchella Key player Mikey Lewis Last season 4th Prediction 5th
Leeds Rhinos
Nowhere does the weight of expectation rest heavier than at Headingley. Finishing eighth is unacceptable for a club of Leeds’s stature and they have been busy in the transfer market. The 2022 Man of Steel, Brodie Croft, is the standout signing in the whole competition, but there are plenty of other interesting additions that make a playoff push likely.
Coach Rohan Smith Captain Cameron Smith Key player Brodie Croft Last season 8th Prediction 6th
Leigh Leopards
Will it be a case of second-season syndrome? Tipped by some to finish bottom last year, Leigh did slightly better than that. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they won the Challenge Cup. They have not rested on that with one-time Kangaroos half-back Matt Moylan arriving in a standout piece of business. They have the tools to challenge once again.
Coach Adrian Lam Captain John Asiata Key player Lachlan Lam Last season 5th Prediction 4th
London Broncos
The romance surrounding London’s remarkable promotion from the Championship was quickly evaporated with the news that they were placed 24th in IMG’s gradings. It means, no matter what they do this season, they will be ejected from the competition when the gradings system goes live this year. Injuries to key men have already hurt them and their squad does not look capable of competing at this level. It will be a tough year.
Coach Mike Eccles Captain Will Lovell Key player James Meadows Last season Championship Grand Final winners Prediction 12th
Salford Red Devils
They enjoy upsetting the experts. Regularly tipped to struggle at the bottom, Paul Rowley and his men always find a way to prove people wrong. Can they do it again? Potentially, but it will be tough. The loss of Croft and Andy Ackers to Leeds will hurt and their squad depth looks worryingly thin. Keep their key men fit and they could make the playoffs; if injuries hit, they are in trouble.
Coach Paul Rowley Captain Kallum Watkins Key player Ryan Brierley Last season 7th Prediction 10th
St Helens
For the first time in four years, St Helens go into the season without the tag of reigning champions. Their attempt to reclaim the trophy they became so familiar with has been complicated by the ominous task of replacing their legendary hooker and captain, James Roby, who has retired. Daryl Clark arrives from Warrington to fill that gap and if he finds his best form there is every chance a squad with minimal off-season disruption elsewhere can go all the way.
Coach Paul Wellens Captain Jonny Lomax Key player Jack Welsby Last season 3rd Prediction 2nd and Grand Final winners
Warrington Wolves
The Sam Burgess era begins with a familiar question: can the Wolves win a first league title since 1955? The 35-year-old was tasked with ending a similar drought as a player with South Sydney and he achieved it. However, doing so as a coach will be much tougher. Burgess has the squad to compete, but, as so many before him have discovered, going all the way is a big ask.
Coach Sam Burgess Captain Stefan Ratchford Key player George Williams Last season 6th Prediction 7th
Wigan Warriors
If you thought winning the Grand Final last year would result in Wigan being complacent, think again. They are even stronger with headline recruits including Catalans’ Adam Keighran and the England hooker Kruise Leeming bolstering an already impressive squad. Matt Peet’s side are the favourites to win it again and it is not difficult to see why.
Coach Matt Peet Captain Liam Farrell Key player Jai Field Last season 1st and Grand Final winners Prediction 1st
