Castleford Tigers
Narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Castleford used the off-season – and the relative security that IMG’s ratings system afforded them – to rebuild with one eye on the future. Craig Lingard, perhaps the most promising manager outside Super League, took over and began overhauling the aging squad. Only two of the winter signings are over the age of 25 and while they have bright futures ahead of them, this could be a formative and challenging season for a young team.
Ram Craig Lingard Captain Paul McShane key player Jacob Miller last season 11th. Guess 11th.
Catalan Dragons
Reconstruction at Perpignan leaves last year’s Grand Finalists in doubt. Nearly the entire spine of Mitchell Pearce, Tyrone May and Sam Tomkins has been separated. The responsibility of returning the Catalans to Old Trafford falls on the shoulders of the youngsters, with France full-back Arthur Mourgue appointed to replace Tomkins. Fortunately, Steve McNamara still has a wealth of talent to draw on.
Ram Steve McNamara Captain Ben Garcia key player Jayden Nikorima last season 2nd and Grand Final runner-up Guess 3rd
Huddersfield Giants
They are one of the few clubs expecting a significant improvement after a disappointing ninth place finish in 2023. Ian Watson has recruited heavily again but much will depend on how well overseas imports such as halfback Adam Clune adapt. There’s no shortage of talent, but they still seem marginally behind the leading pack.
Ram Ian Watson Captain Luke Yates key player jake connor last season 9th Guess 9th
Hull FC
Like Huddersfield, Hull FC will be keen to show that they are better than last year, when they dropped to an underwhelming 10th place. Talented halfback Jake Trueman’s return to fitness will undoubtedly give them a boost and the restructuring of their squad means there is tentative optimism that the good times may return to Hull’s west end. They will be in the play-offs but so are a few sides.
Ram Tony Smith Captain Danny Houghton key player Jake Trueman last season 10th Guess 8.
Hull Kingston Rovers
Ambitions are slightly higher in Hull’s east end. No longer permanent relegation candidates, the team’s run to last season’s Challenge Cup final whetted the appetite for more success. They have assembled a fine squad once again with the eye-catching additions of former Catalans halfback May and NRL mainstay Peta Hike. A top six looks likely, but these days the expectation is to do better than that. They will want silverware.
Ram Willie Peters Captain Elliot Minchella key player Mikey Lewis last season 4. Guess 5.
Leeds rhinos
Nowhere is the weight of expectations heavier than at Headingley. Finishing eighth is unacceptable for a club of Leeds’ stature and they are busy in the transfer market. 2022’s Man of Steel, Brodie Croft, has been the standout signing across the competition, but there are plenty of other interesting additions that make a play-off push likely.
Ram Rohan Smith Captain cameron smith key player Brodie Croft last season 8. Guess 6.
Leigh Leopards
Will there be a case of second season syndrome? Leigh, who was predicted by some to bottom out last year, fared slightly better than that. Not only did they make it to the play-offs, but they also won the Challenge Cup. They couldn’t resist, with one-time Kangaroos halfback Matt Moylan doing a remarkable job. They have the tools to challenge once again.
Ram Adrian Lam Captain John Asiata key player Lachlan Lam last season 5. Guess 4.
London Broncos
The romance surrounding London’s remarkable rise from the Championship quickly evaporated with the news that they sit 24th in the IMG rankings. This means that no matter what they do this season, they will be eliminated from the competition when the rating system comes into effect this year. Injuries to key players have already hurt them and their squad does not look capable of competing at this level. It will be a difficult year.
Ram Mike Eccles Captain Will Lovell key player James Meadows last season Championship Grand Final winners Guess 12.
Salford Red Devils
They like to annoy experts. Expected to regularly 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 difficult. The loss of Croft and Andy Ackers to Leeds will hurt and their squad depth looks worryingly thin. If they keep their key men fit they can make the play-offs; If they get injured they will be in trouble.
Ram Paul Rowley Captain Kallum Watkins key player Ryan Brierley last season 7. Guess 10th
St Helens
St Helens enter the season without the defending champions title for the first time in four years. Their attempt to reclaim the trophy to which they have now grown accustomed is complicated by the ominous task of replacing the legendary hooker and captain James Roby, who has retired. Daryl Clark arrives from Warrington to fill that void and if he finds his best form, there is a chance he will go all the way elsewhere for a team that has suffered minimal disruption in the off-season.
Ram Paul Wellens Captain Jonny Lomax key player Jack Welsby last season 3rd Guess 2nd and Grand Final winners
Warrington Wolves
The Sam Burgess era begins with a familiar question: can Wolves win their first league title since 1955? The 35-year-old was tasked with ending a similar drought as a player in South Sydney and he succeeded. But as a coach it will be much more difficult to do this. Burgess has a squad capable of competing, but as many before him have discovered, going all the way is a big ask.
Ram Sam Burgess Captain Stefan Ratchford key player george williams last season 6. Guess 7.
Wigan Warriors
If you thought winning the Grand Final last year would leave Wigan complacent, think again. They are even stronger with new headline-grabbing names including Catalans Adam Keighran and England hooker Kruise Leeming bolstering an already impressive squad. Matt Peet’s team is the favorite to win again, and it’s not hard to see why.
Ram Matt Peet Captain Liam Farrell key player Jai Field last season 1st and Grand Final winners Guess 1st