With all of our New Year’s hangovers now starting to dissipate, the 2025 Super League season is starting to come into view just over the horizon. With most clubs now in the throes of pre-season training, and some even competing in friendlies, it’s time for me to show my hand, nail my colours to the mast, and reveal my for the 2025 Super League season.

My predictions will differ somewhat from Ian’s article (which can be found here), as I am going to attempt to predict the table in full, as well as cover each club, and give a few thoughts on their new signings and prospects for the season, to give a preview as well as predicting the coming year.

Nathan’s Predicted 2025 Super League Table

1. Wigan Warriors
2. Hull KR
3. Warrington Wolves
4. Catalans Dragons
5. St Helens
6. Leigh Leopards
7. Leeds Rhinos
8. Hull FC
9. Salford Red Devils
10. Wakefield Trinity
11. Castleford Tigers
12. Huddersfield Giants

Castleford Tigers

2024 League Position: 10th

2025 Predicted Finish: 11th

Incoming: Innes Senior (Huddersfield), Louis Senior (Hull KR), Zac Cini, Daejarn Asi (both Parramatta Eels), Judah Rimbu (PNG Hunters), Jeremiah Simbiken (Norths Devils), Dan Okoro (on loan from Warrington)

Outgoing: Corey Hall (loan ending), Danny Richardson (Hull KR), Paul McShane (York), Daniel Hindmarsh (TBC), Elie El-Zakhem (Mackay Cutters), Jacob Miller (TBC), Brad Martin (Leigh), Luis Johnson (TBC), Samy Kibula (Batley Bulldogs), Nixon Putt (Central Queensland Capras), Kieran Hudson (York)

First Three Fixtures: Hull KR (A), St Helens (H), Leeds (A)

I can foresee a difficult year for the Tigers this season. They’ve taken a risk in giving Danny McGuire his first head coaching position, albeit after a lot of experience as a number two, but the step up from assistant to Super League head coach is a not inconsiderable one, and it remains to be seen whether it’s a step he will make successfully. The decision to appoint him and sack Craig Lingard a few months ago could well be one that comes back to bite them long-term.

On the field they have recruited well if not unspectacularly. Judah Rimbu comes in with a decent amount of hype, I can’t say I know much about him, or their other NRL signings for that matter, so they could well be incredible signings and leave me with egg on my face, but I can’t see anything other than a season of struggle at Wheldon Road.

Looking at their first three games too, it’s hard to imagine that they’ll pick up any points from them, their first potential win could come in week four, when Salford travel to The Jungle, but all that depends on which Salford we get in 2025, of which more later, but like fellow 2024 strugglers Hull FC, the fixture list hasn’t been kind to the Tigers, and could leave them with a mountain to climb to get off the foot of the table.

Catalans Dragons

2024 League Position: 7th

2025 Predicted Finish: 4th

Incoming: Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Ollie Partington (Salford), Nick Cotric, Elliott Whitehead (both Canberra Raiders), Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters), Tevita Pangai Junior (Dolphins)

Outgoing: Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone (both Wakefield), Jordan Abdull (loan ending), Tom Davies, Micky McIlorum (both Hull KR), Manu Ma’u (Souths Sharks), Matt Ikuvalu (TBC), Jarrod Wallace (Retirement), Ben Lam (TBC)

First Three Fixtures: Hull FC (H), Warrington (A), Leigh (A)

The 2024 season ended up being a disappointing one by the Dragons’ recent standards. Following their Grand Final appearance in 2023, missing out on the play-offs entirely must have seemed unthinkable to the men from Catalonia, and yet that’s exactly what happened.

I can see a much improved year in 2025 for Le Dracs, however, as their recruitment has been amongst the best in the league, bringing in experienced winners like Tommy Makinson, alongside talent from Down Under like Tevita Pangai Junior and Nick Cotric. It’s hard to see the team missing out on the play-offs again, barring another huge disappointment from Steve McNamara’s side. It could well be the case that the head coach’s future depends on his rebuilt side being a success in 2025, and for what it’s worth, I can see them rounding out the top four come September.

Their first three games are a real mixed bag too, with the visit of a Hull FC who are in the midst of a ‘new era’. They may not prove as easy to put down as last season, but you would imagine the Dragons will be the side who emerges victorious in that opening round match. Their next two games are hard to call, with visits to Warrington (who are bound to be challenging near the top again) and Leigh, who were amongst the hardest teams to predict, I found, given their high player turnover. Two wins out of three games would likely be a positive result for Catalans, as they make another run at the play-offs in 2025.

Huddersfield Giants

2024 League Position: 9th

2025 Predicted Finish: 12th

Incomings: Zac Woolford (Canberra Raiders), Liam Sutcliffe (Hull FC), George King (Hull KR), Tom Burgess, Jacob Gagai, Taane Milne (all South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Outgoings: Innes Senior (Castleford), Esan Marsters, Chris Hill (both Salford), Olly Russell (Wakefield), Sebastine Ikahihifo (TBC), Kevin Naiqama (Western Suburbs Rosellas), Adam Milner (Oldham), Jake Connor (Leeds), Andre Savelio (Taking time out of the game), Hugo Salabio (Hull FC)

First Three Fixtures: Warrington (H), Leigh (A), Hull FC (H)

Being one of the three Super League sides to have been given a Grade B license by IMG for this season, I think the Giants could well be spending the season looking over their shoulders and hoping the top Championship sides don’t gain any more ground. They’re one of a number of clubs with a new permanent head coach (albeit one that took mover towards the back-end of the 2024 season) whose influence will be key to their on-field success or failure, and like Castleford, they’ve opted for someone without top-flight head coach experience (barring a few interim spells), and in both cases, that may well be come to be seen as a masterstroke, or a disaster that condemns the Giants to the Championship in 2026.

They’ve lost a number of key players for 2025, with the likes of Esan Masters and Chris Hill moving on to pastures new (Salford, in both their cases) and although they have brought in a big name in the form of Tom Burgess, the majority of their other signings are underwhelming, being players who are good, but not good enough to launch them up the table, or cast offs from Down Under, such as Taane Milne. It leaves the Giants with a somewhat thin squad for the 2025 season, and it’s hard to see them in anything other than a scrap at the bottom.

Analysing their opening three games makes difficult reading for any Huddersfield fan too, with Warrington and Leigh, who will both be hoping for a top six, or even a top four in Warrington’s case, finish at the end of the season, and a Hull FC side who are likely to be fired up following their challenging opening two games. It may well be many weeks until the Giants pick up their first win, by which time they may already be mired in a fight to avoid the wooden spoon. All of this leads me to think it may well be a long old year for the Giants.

Hull FC

2024 League Finish: 11th

2025 Predicted Finish: 8th

Incoming: Jordan Abdull (Hull KR), John Asiata, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Holmes, Ed Chamberlain (all Leigh), Jordan Rapana (Canberra Raiders), Aidan Sezer (Wests Tigers), Amir Bourouh, Cade Cust (both Salford), Hugo Salabio (Huddersfield)

Outgoing: Cam Scott, Jake Trueman (both Wakefield), Danny Houghton (Retirement), Carlos Tuimavave (Featherstone Rovers), Liam Sutcliffe (Huddersfield), Mitieli Vulikijapani (TBC), Charlie Severs (TBC), Sully Medforth (Midlands Hurricanes), Lennon Bursell, Jeylan Hodgson, Macca Harman (all Goole Vikings), Tiaki Chan (loan ending), King Vuniyayawa (loan ending), Leon Ruan (loan ending), Sam Eseh (loan ending), Morgan Smith (Sheffield Eagles), Liam Tindall (TBC), Jack Walker (TBC)

First Three Fixtures: Catalans (A), Wigan (H), Huddersfield (A)

It was definitely a season to forget for the Airlie Birds in 2024, but with a new coach, owners, and a raft of new additions to the playing squad, they’ll be hoping to turn their flagging fortunes around in 2025. For what it’s worth (and as a Hull KR fan, I’m well aware that’s not much to most Black and Whites) I think Hull FC will take a step forward in 2025. I can’t see them making a serious push for the top six, but I think they’ll be well away from the bottom three this year, at least.

I’m on the fence as regards to some of their signings too. It’s true the argument could be made that their average signing skews a little older than most, but Hull KR can hardly throw stones in that department this season given who our marquee signing is. I think the hope is that the experience they have brought in will help bring along the plethora of promising talent they have over on the West side of Hull, and if they get the balance right, they could shock a few people.

Looking at their first few games, it’s tough to get a harder start than the one they’ve been handed. An away trip to Catalans is a challenge at the best of times, let alone to start your season, but to then follow that with the visit of the reigning champions? It way well seem like it’s getting worse before it gets better at the MKM after the first two games, but their third match away at Huddersfield is a winnable one, and that’s where I think they’ll pick up their first points of an improved, but not spectacular season.

Hull KR

2024 League Finish: 2nd

2025 Predicted Finish: 2nd

Incoming: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Sydney Roosters), Tom Davies, Michael McIlorum (both Catalans), Eribe Doro (Bradford), Danny Richardson (Castleford), Rhyse Martin, Leon Ruan (both Leeds), Bill Leyland, Lee Kershaw (both London)

Outgoing: Ryan Hall (Leeds), Corey Hall, Matty Storton (both Wakefield), Louis Senior (Castleford), Jordan Abdull (Hull FC), Matt Parcell (Retirement), Reiss Butterworth (Sheffield Eagles), Tom Opacic (Redcliffe Dolphins), George King (Huddersfield), Harvey Moore (TBC)

First Three Fixtures: Castleford (H), Wakefield (A), Salford (H)

The Robins are flying high right now, riding the momentum of a maiden Old Trafford appearance into a 2025 season where they find themselves in the strange position of having expectations on their shoulders. After all, 2023 could have just been a blip, but now that we’ve seen that it wasn’t, can you really blame Rovers fans for wanting to continue their ascent, rather than just being happy to be there?

The team seems to have a good sense of continuity from 2024, too. Both Matt Parcell and Ryan Hall will be big losses, no doubt, but they were changes that we had been expecting, and they’ve been replaced admirably. Tom Davies from Catalans is a shrewd aquisition, and although I’m not awfully keen on the signing of McIllorum personally, I would love nothing more than to be proven wrong about him. Then there’s the big signing of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. The Sydney Roosters legend has seen and done it all, and although he’s a bit (quite a lot, actually) long in the tooth, he could prove to be an invaluable experienced head in the squad.

The luck of the draw has also shone on Rovers when it comes to their opening fixtures. All three of which are realistically winnable games (not to disrespect Cas, Wakefield, or Salford, of course) and could set the team on course for another season of challenging the big boys. After the last few years, it’s the least the fans can expect now, and I have a feeling that 2025 may well be the year Hull KR finally break their trophy duck…

Leeds Rhinos

2024 League Finish: 8th

2025 Predicted Finish: 7th

Incoming: Ryan Hall (Hull KR), Keenan Palasia (Gold Coast Titans), Cooper Jenkins (Norths Devils), Jake Connor (Huddersfield), Maika Sivo (Parramatta Eels)

Outgoing: James Donaldson (Bradford), Rhyse Martin, Leon Ruan (both Hull KR), David Fusitu’a (TBC), Luis Roberts (TBC), Corey Johnson (Sheffield), Kieran Hudson (York via Castleford) Mickael Goudemand (Albi), Justin Sangare (Salford), Paul Momirovski (Lezignan)

First Three Fixtures: Wakefield (H), Salford (A), Castleford (H)

The Rhinos looked all out of sorts at times last year, and that was reflected in their eventual disappointing slump to 8th in the league. Their poor form led to the end of Rohan Smith’s time in charge in West Yorkshire, replaced by former Parramatta Eels head coach Brad Arthur, who’s preparing to take charge of his first full season at Leeds.

The return of Ryan Hall is the headline grabber from their recruitment, following a successful few years over in East Yorkshire with Hull KR, he will make an emotional return in 2025, older and no doubt wiser, he’s still the difference maker on his day, but his age may well mean that he’s not on the starting team sheet on a weekly basis. Again, I can’t claim to know much about their NRL recruits, so that will be a case of waiting to see how they acclimatise, and the later addition of Jake Connor hardly excites me, to be honest.

The Rhinos have the same three fixtures as Hull KR, albeit in a different order, and they may well also come out the other end with three wins from three, but don’t count against Wakefield on their first match back in Super League, perhaps this is my boldest prediction, but I can see Wakefield picking up the win on the opening weekend. I also don’t think the Rhinos will crack the top six in 2025, there will be improvements, but nothing approaching the lofty heights the club once reached.

Leigh Leopards

2024 League Finish: 5th

2025 Predicted Finish: 6th

Incoming: David Armstrong (Newcastle Knights), Isaac Liu (Gold Coast Titans), Tesi Niu (Dolphins), Ryan Brown (Wigan), Brad Martin (Castleford), AJ Towse (York), Andrew Badrock (Swinton Lions), Will Brough (Wakefield), Ethan O’Neill (Burleigh Bears), Alec Tuitavake (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Outgoing: Tom Amone (Canterbury Bulldogs), Kai O’Donnell (North Queensland Cowboys), John Asiata, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Holmes, Ed Chamberlain (all Hull FC), Ricky Leutele (TBC), Jacob Jones (Doncaster), Jacob Gannon (York), Tom Nisbet (Townsville Blackhawks), Lewis Baxter (Oldham), Matt Moylan, Dan Norman (both retirement)

First Three Fixtures: Wigan (A), Huddersfield (H), Catalans (H)

Leigh are one of the sides going through a massive upheaval before the start of the new season, with no less than ten new signings through the door, and several influential players going the other way. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Leopards don’t make a slow start similarly to last season before finding their groove once their new-look team gels.

Even though it can be said that they have lost several key players, including captain John Asiata, they have made some smart signings to replace those who have left, with promising full-back David Armstrong from Newcastle Knights being one of their more eye-capturing recruits. Managing to keep hold of Lachlan Lam for another season is another positive for the Leythers, and they’ll be hoping that new faces and old can find their groove quickly.

Someone had to get Wigan for their first game, and Leigh are the unfortunates to be opening their season against the reigning champions. The Battle of the Borough is arguably the tie of the round during the first weekend. While I can’t see them coming away with more than one win from their first three, I do think Leigh will end up in the top six come the end of the season.

Salford Red Devils

2024 League Finish: 4th

2025 Predicted Finish: 9th

Incoming: Esan Marsters (Huddersfield), Sam Davis (London), Chris Hill (Huddersfield), Joe Bullock (Warrington), Justin Sangare (Leeds)

Outgoing: Ollie Partington (Catalans), Amir Bourouh, Cade Cust (both Hull FC), Adam Sidlow (Swinton), Andrew Dixon (retirement), Gil Dudson (loan ending)

First Three Fixtures: St Helens (A), Leeds (H), Hull KR (A)

Salford have had quite the rough ride during the pre-season off the field. Cash flow problems reared their ugly head for the Red Devils as they had to request an advance on their central funding, the result has been weeks of uncertainty as the club now hopes the struggles are behind them, whispers continue to grow louder of them needing to slash their wage budget. All of this meant that Salford were one of the most difficult teams to predict for 2025, as the club has punched above its weight in recent times, but will the off-field troubles manifest themselves on the pitch?

From a recruitment standpoint, it’s hard to say for certain that the squad they currently have will all be there come February. I’m erring on the optimistic side though in thinking that they might manage to keep the team together for the most part. Looking at their incomings as well, the signing of Esan Marsters may prove to be the difference maker, with the Lebanese international a proven points scorer in Super League, he will hope to form a formidable centre pairing with Nene Macdonald in 2025.

Their first three weeks of the season may also prove to be a mixed bag, with a trip to a motivated St Helens side to open their season, it’s hard for anyone to foresee a Salford win there, but their trip to Leeds could go either way, and if this is a Salford team like those of the past few seasons, I know they’ll give Hull KR a challenge as well. In what will be Paul Rowley’s last season as head coach, I can see a drop off in their position. I’ve put them 9th in my predicted table, but I could just as easily put them in 8th or 10th. They will also be nervously awaiting the IMG ratings in October to see if their financial woes have knocked them out of the top tier entirely, the difference between an 8th and 10th placed finish could well determine their SUper League future.

St Helens

2024 League Finish: 6th

2025 Predicted Finish: 5th

Incomings: Tristan Sailor (Brisbane Broncos), Kyle Feldt (North Queensland Cowboys), Lewis Murphy (Sydney Roosters)

Outgoings: Lewis Dodd (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tommy Makinson (Catalans), Sam Royle (TBC), Sione Mata’utia (retirement), Waqa Blake (Bradford), Ben Lane (TBC), McKenzie Buckley (Taking time out of the game)

First Three Fixtures: Salford (H), Castleford (A), Wakefield (A)

Many were surprised at the conclusion of the 2024 season by the disappointing campaign of St Helens. By their lofty standards, a sixth-placed finished is considered a bad year, yet their head coach, club legend Paul Wellens, managed to keep hold of his job, and be offered a new deal for 2025. He will be joined this season by the addition of Lee Briers as an assistant coach, as the Saints aim to head back up the table, and back into trophy contention.

Their star signings for the year, Tristan Sailor and Kyle Feldt are definitely eye-catching, Sailor is a promising half-back with a good junior pedigree, and Feldt is a prolific try-scorer with big game experience, having appeared in two State of Origin games, as well as winning an NRL Grand Final and World Club Challenge with North Queensland. It remains to be seen how these two players will adjust to life in the Northern hemisphere, but they make Saints squad all the more formidable by their inclusion.

The Saints will also be looking to make a hot start to the campaign, with their first three fixtures being the same as fellow contenders Hull KR in the form of Salford, Wakefield, and Castleford, and providing the new signings can settle and make their mark, it’s hard to bet against them coming away with three wins from three in the opening rounds. Again, they’re a team I struggled to place with confidence, I’ve gone for fifth simply because I think Catalans will be more improved this season, but the two are interchangeable in those positions in my opinion. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Saints were challenging for Old Trafford, but I also wouldn’t be completely shocked if a mid-season slump sees Wellens replaced with Briers in the hot seat to see out the season.

Wakefield Trinity

2024 League Finish: 1st (Championship)

2025 Predicted Finish: 10th

Incoming: Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone (both Catalans), Cam Scott, Jake Trueman (both Hull FC), Olly Russell (Huddersfield), Corey Hall, Matty Storton (both Hull KR), Seth Nikotemo (Gold Coast Titans), Josh Rourke (London), Matty Russell (Warrington), Jayden Myers (Bradford)

Outgoing: Luke Gale, Jermaine McGillvary, Liam Kay (all retirement), Matty Ashurst, Iain Thornley (both Oldham), Josh Bowden (Doncaster), Derrell Olpherts, Toby Boothroyd (both Featherstone Rovers), Romain Franco (Albi), Ethan Wood (Hunslet), Will Brough (Leigh), Noah Booth (season-long loan to Hunslet for 2025), Joe Law (York)

First Three Fixtures: Leeds (A), Hull KR (H), St Helens (H)

Wakefield make their return to the top flight this year following a single season in the Championship, and it is to be hoped that the year they spent away from the top flight, and all the changes they’ve experienced both on and off the field will lead to a rejuvenated Trinity side making their mark on Super League upon their return.

For a newly-promoted side, their recruitment has been extremely strong, building a side teeming with Super League experience, with some genuinely exciting additions, chief amongst which is veteran forward Mike McMeeken, and a returning Tom Johnstone, who goes back to his former club following a prolific spell with the Catalans Dragons. More than any promoted side in recent memory, they have managed to build a strong squad in anticipation of their return, and will no doubt make other sides towards the bottom end of the table feel nervous.

The first game of the season against Leeds will be a big test of this Wakefield sides Super League ambitions too, with them hoping to make a winning return against a local rival, it is not inconceivable that they will do so. It’s certainly one of the more interesting ties of the round, and I’m leaning towards an upset Wakefield win. I don’t think their squad is strong enough to make any sort of push to the playoffs though, and the West Yorkshire outfit are likely to be aiming for a season of re-establishing their position in the league. I imagine they won’t be in danger of claiming the wooden spoon, and they’re likely to cause upsets, but I think a 10th placed finish is a fair return.

Warrington Wolves

2024 League Finish: 3rd

2025 Predicted Finish: 3rd

Incoming: Oli Leyland (London), Dan Russell (St George Illawarra Dragons), Alfie Johnson (Leeds Reserves)

Outgoing: Matty Nicholson (Canberra Raiders), Gil Dudson (Oldham), Josh Drinkwater (Oldham), Matty Russell (Wakefield), John Bateman (loan ending), Joe Bullock (Salford), Wesley Bruines (TBC)

First Three Fixtures: Huddersfield (A), Catalans (H), Wigan (N)

Warrington were much improved last term under the stewardship of Sam Burgess, and they will be hoping to continue, or even surpass, that progress in 2025. It’s easy to see how they might do so, given how close they came last season, but I can foresee a similar campaign to last years with close calls, but a lack of silverware once more.

Part of the reason for this is their recruitment, and while signings are not the be-all-and-end-all, especially when you have a strong side like the Wolves already do (as well as some good prospects coming through) there seems to be a lack of eye-catching names brought in to replace what’s leaving. Oli Leyland is the best of the bunch, after impressing in a scrappy London Broncos side last year. PNG international Dan Russell has also signed for 2025, but his lack of first-grade experience may well be the difference-maker when it comes to his impact on the team.

Their first three games offer up one game in which they would be considered favourites, and two challenges, namely Catalans and Wigan. Them playing Catalans at home could make the difference between two wins from the first three or one, and I wouldn’t like to call it, and I don’t think they’re up to challenging Wigan, bar a rough day at the office for the Warriors, or the Vegas setting making a difference. I’ve put them in third here, but they could realistically finish anywhere from 2nd-5th depending on how the pieces fall. They’ll certain have more of a fight to secure a top four spot than last season.

Wigan Warriors

2024 League Finish: 1st

2025 Predicted Finish: 1st

Incomings: George Hirst (Oldham)

Outgoings: Mike Cooper (retirement), Ryan Hampshire (TBC)

First Three Fixtures: Leigh (H), Hull FC (A), Warrington (N)

It’s hard to look past Wigan when it comes to trophies at the best of times, but following their dominance last season, and the fact that they’ve managed to keep their team more or less completely intact for 2025 tells me that we may be in for another season of Warriors dominance. However, I do think that more teams will start to step up to them in 2025. Hull KR weren’t far off in 2024, and if their new additions can fill the void left by those that have left, they might put up a challenge, and the same can be said of St Helens, Catalans, and Warrington, but really, at this point, Wigan are the true team to beat.

Such is the team’s dominance in 2024 that they haven’t had to go out and make any signings, simply because their squad is already watertight and still in one piece. Granted, a few injuries, especially to the likes of Jai Field or Bevan French, could lead to the chasing pack catching up, the truth is they have talent up and down their squad to still be challenging at the top regardless.

The only game from their first three of which I’m not confident of is the Warrington game. The sense of occasion of being in Las Vegas gives the game a feeling of “anything can happen” but I think I’m still coming down on the side of the Warriors in that clash. They will lead the pack from the first three games and be the team to catch all season.

Other Predictions:

Challenge Cup Winners: Hull KR. You could put this down as hope more than an educated guess, but that long-wished-for trophy must be on the horizon for KR, surely? A win at Wembley would go so far to soothing the pains of the past forty years. I do think it’s a case of either Rovers challenge for Wembley or challenge for Old Trafford, however, and if this prediction comes to pass, Old Trafford for a second year might just be that one step too far.

Grand Final: Looking at how I’ve predicted the table to finish, and the permutations of play-off fixtures, it’s impossible for me to call a Grand Final with any confidence whatsoever. I’m going to sheepishly say Wigan vs St Helens, with Wigan winning, but it could be any combination of: Wigan vs Hull KR, Wigan vs Warrington, St Helens vs Hull KR, or Wigan vs Catalans, I wouldn’t like to pick decisively from any of them.

Man of Steel: Bevan French. Providing he stays fit all season, there’s simply no better player in the whole league. He showed both in the semi-final and Grand Final how utterly unplayable he can be, and I can’t see that changing.

First Coaching Casualty: Paul Wellens. No-one wants to see someone lose their job, but I don’t think I’m alone in my surprise at Paul Wellens still being at Saints. A poor run of form in early to mid season could see the board make the choice to promote Lee Briers in the hopes of saving their season.

Championship Winner: Hard to look beyond Bradford Bulls for the Championship. Toulouse are their closest rivals, but I think the Bulls charge to the top of the table with Brian Noble back in charge.

Promotion/Relegation: Promotion and relegation aren’t guaranteed now, of course. Furthermore, we won’t know until a few weeks after the season finished who might be going up or down. Salford are contenders for the drop, merely because of their money problems, and a finish 10th or below could well see them lose their top-flight status, and Toulouse (the highest ranked Championship team, albeit with their own financial difficulties) waits in the wings, as do Bradford, and to a lesser extent, York. I’m not going to go out on a limb and say definitively if I think there will be a relegated or promoted side, but I will say that Salford and Huddersfield could well be in danger, and Toulouse and Bradford may be the beneficiaries.

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR fan)