by Garman Castle Tiger
After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Ballynacalleach have used the off-season – provided by IMG’s relative safety grading system – to rebuild with one eye on the future. Perhaps the most prolific coach outside of Super League, Craig Lingard, has taken over and overhauled an aging squad. Only two of their winter signings are over 25 and while a bright future could lie ahead, this could be a formative and tough season for a young squad.
Coach Craig Lynard Captain Paul McShane Key player Jacob Miller Last season 11th Foretelling 11th
Catalan Dragons
A rebuild in Perpignan leaves last year’s Grand Finals in doubt. Almost all of their backs, Mitchell Pearce, Tyrone May and Sam Tomkins, are gone. The responsibility to lead the Catalans back to Old Trafford falls on younger shoulders, with France goalkeeper Arthur Mourgue tasked with replacing Tomkins. Fortunately for Steve McNamara, he still has plenty of talent to tap into.
Coach Steve McNamara Captain Ben Garcia Key player Jayden Nikorima Last season second place and in the final Foretelling 3rd
Giants Huddersfield
One of several clubs hoping for a significant improvement after a disappointing ninth place finish in 2023. Ian Watson has been heavily recruited again, but much depends on how well overseas imports such as half-back Adam Clune settle. There is no shortage of talent, but they still appear a bit behind the front pack.
Coach Ian Watson Captain Luke Yates Key player Jake Connor Last season 9th Foretelling 9th
Hull FC
Like Huddersfield, Hull FC will be keen to show that they are better than last year, when they finished in an abysmal 10th place. The return of talented half-back Jake Trueman will no doubt give them a boost in fitness and the rebuilding of their pack leaves a tentative hope that the good times could return to Hull’s west side. They will be in the mix for the play-offs, but so will a few sides.
Coach Tony Smith Captain Danny Houghton Key player Jake Trueman Last season 10th Foretelling 8th
Game Hull Kingston Rovers
Ambitions are slightly higher on the east side of Hull. No longer perennial relegation candidates, his run to last season’s final Challenge Cup has whetted the desire for further success. They’ve recruited well again, with former Catalan half-back May and NRL star Peta Hike. It looks like the top six, but these days it’s expected to do better than that. They will want silverware.
Coach Willie Peters Captain Elliot Minchella Key player Mikey Lewis Last season 4th Foretelling 5th
Leeds Rhinos
The weight of expectation is no heavier than at Headingley. Eighth place is not unacceptable for a club of Leeds’ stature and they have been busy in the transfer market. The standout signing in the entire competition is the 2022 Man of Steel, Brodie Croft, 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 Foretelling 6th
Leigh Leopards
Will it be a case of second season syndrome? Struggling to finish bottom last year, Leigh did little better than that. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they won the Challenge Cup. There’s no slowing them down as one-time Kangaroos half-back Matt Moylan is coming into great business. They have the tools to challenge again.
Coach Adrian Lam Captain John of Asia Key player Lachlan Lam Last season 5th Foretelling 4th
London Broncos
The romance of London’s spectacular promotion from the Championship quickly faded with the news that they were placed 24th in the IMG ratings. It means that no matter what they do this season, they will be expelled from the competition when the grading system goes live this year. Injuries to key men have already hurt them and their squad does not seem capable of competing at this level. It will be a tough year.
Coach Mike Eccles Captain Will Lovell Key player James Meadows Last season Grand Final Winners Foretelling 12th
Salford Red Devil
They enjoy interfering with the experts. Paul Rowley and his men regularly struggle to prove them wrong. Can they do it again? Could, but it will be tough. The loss of Croft and Andy Ackers hurt Leeds and the depth of their squad looks worrying. Keep their key man fit and they could make the playoffs; if injuries strike, they are in trouble.
Coach Paul Rowley Captain Calum Watkins Key player Ryan Brierley Last season 7th Foretelling 10th
St Helens
For the first time in four years, St Helens go into the season without the tag of the reigning champions. Their quest to reclaim the trophy they have come to know so well is complicated by the daunting task of replacing the legendary skipper 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 that a squad that has suffered much in the off-season will go elsewhere.
Coach Paul Wellens Captain Jonny Lomax Key player Jack Welsby Last season 3rd Foretelling 2nd and Grand Final winners
Wolves Warrington
The Sam Burgess era begins with a familiar question: can the Wolves win their first league title since 1955? The 35-year-old was tasked with ending a drought as a player with South Sydney and he achieved it. However, doing so as a coach will be much more difficult. Burgess has the squad to compete, but, as so many have discovered before him, going all the way is a tall order.
Coach Sam Burgess Captain Stephen Ratchford Key player George Williams Last season 6th Foretelling 7th
Wigan heroes
If you thought Wigan would be complacent about winning the Grand Final last year, think again. They are even stronger with key recruits including the Catalans’ Adam Keighran and England hurler Kruise Leeming bolstering an already impressive squad. Matt Peet’s side are favorites to win it again and it’s not hard to see why.
Coach Matt Peet Captain Liam Farrell Key player Jai field Last season 1st and Grand Final Winners Foretelling 1st
