Castleford Tigers
Last season 4th Coach Daryl Powell Captain Michael Shenton
2014 was the stuff of fairytale for Castleford and their fans. After losing their key playmaker Rangi Chase to Salford, the Tigers were expected to be firmly entrenched in the battle to avoid relegation. How wrong we all were. Fourth place in the Super League – as well as the most unlikely of Challenge Cup Final appearances – saw Castleford capture the hearts of rugby league fans worldwide. Replicating that feat in 2015 will be tough though, especially after the loss of Man of Steel Daryl Clark to Warrington. But under the stewardship of Powell the Tigers should still have enough to make the top eight when it matters, with new recruits Ben Roberts and Luke Gale likely to prove pivotal.
Prediction 7th
Catalan Dragons
Last season 7th (lost in play-off semi-finals) Coach Laurent Frayssinous Captains Grégory Mounis and Rémi Casty
As the flamboyant French club head into their 10th season as a Super League club, there will be high hopes that they can achieve their highest-ever finish this year. A strong end to last season – where they came within 80 minutes of an unlikely Grand Final appearance – has been followed up by some strong recruitment, with the headline-grabbing Todd Carney top of that list. He was kicked out of the NRL for his infamous off-field antics, but there is no doubting his ability on the field. But if Frayssinous can keep Carney in check, then the Dragons arguably have the best half-back in the Super League at their disposal. Improve their inconsistent away form too, and Catalans are suddenly a real threat to all around them.
Prediction 4th
Huddersfield Giants
Last season 3rd Coach Paul Anderson Captain Danny Brough
Huddersfield again head into a Super League season on the back of modest success (after finishing a respectable third on the league ladder) coupled with crushing heartbreak (after yet another play-off collapse). Two defeats in as many post-season games saw their season come crashing to an end prematurely once more, but hopes will be high they can improve on that this time round. They have kept their squad relatively intact, with the impressive Craig Huby from Castleford arriving to provide punch and power up top. With so much competition at the higher end of the Super League though, the Giants may find another top-four finish beyond their means. However, they will certainly have enough to make the top eight.
Prediction 6th
Hull FC
Last season 11th Coach Lee Radford Captain Gareth Ellis
Eleventh place in Radford’s debut season as the coach of his hometown club is anything but spectacular, but it is important to factor in the squad he inherited after succeeding Peter Gentle. Radford has gone some way to putting his own stamp on the side for 2015, and the signs point to being cautiously optimistic for Hull. Much will depend on their experienced players though, not least Leon Pryce, who has returned to England after a successful spell with Catalans Dragons. They are very much likely to be in the group of teams jostling to fight into the top eight as opposed to competing at the top of the league, but if they start slowly – they face some big sides early in the season – they could find themselves in a battle to avoid that bottom four come round 23.
Prediction 9th
Hull Kingston Rovers
Last season 9th Coach Chris Chester Captain Terry Campese
It was a year of all-round disappointment for the city of Hull in 2014, with Hull KR also failing to make the play-offs. That has prompted Chris Chester into bringing in 13 signings for his first full season in charge – which inevitably leads to worries about how quick they will gel. A slow start in a 23-game campaign may prove fatal, and with fears of a failure to properly replace the England international Josh Hodgson at hooker, it could be another season of struggle for the men from east Hull. However, don’t rule out them causing a few upsets along the way, especially with a squad packed with talented youngsters.
Prediction 11th
Leeds Rhinos
Last season 6th Coach Brian McDermott Captain Kevin Sinfield
Given how they are more accustomed to league success and cup heartache, 2014 was a season like no other for Leeds Rhinos. The euphoria and joy of winning the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1999 was swiftly followed by their earliest play-off exit since 2006. However, Rhinos fans familiar with the club’s recent history will recall that in the three seasons following that year they dominated the Super League with a trio of Grand Final victories between 2007 and 2009. So can they be realistic challengers in 2015? The obvious answer would be yes, and with the legendary Jamie Peacock MBE entering his final season as a professional, the Rhinos have more motivation than most. Expect them to be firmly in the mix at the right end of the table.
Prediction 5th
Salford Red Devils
Last season 10th Coach Iestyn Harris Captain Harrison Hansen
Salford’s owner Marwan Koukash’s grand plan to transform the club into a force in the Super League in 2014 did not quite go to plan. The coach Brian Noble left early-on, and although Harris provided some spots of encouragement, they were only in spells, as the Red Devils eventually missed out on the play-offs. Koukash has invested heavily in the playing roster again though, and in Michael Dobson, they have one of the finest playmakers in the world. His partnership with Rangi Chase will prove key and if it clicks, the odds are firmly stacked on Salford finally getting into the top eight. Beyond that, though, is anyone’s guess – especially with the eccentric Koukash at the helm.
Prediction 8th
St Helens
Last season Champions (Grand Final winners, after finishing 1st) Coach Keiron Cunningham Captain Jon Wilkin
Winning the Grand Final with your first-choice full-back and star half-back injured for the latter end of the season is not to be sniffed at – such is the miracle Nathan Brown pulled off in guiding St Helens to Grand Final glory for the first time since 2006. With that monkey finally off their backs, Cunningham has taken over with an exciting mix of youth and experience at his disposal. The aforementioned Jonny Lomax and Luke Walsh will again be key if they are fully fit, and with the eccentric, unpredictable Travis Burns joining the ranks, there is no doubting Saints’ credentials as serious title contenders as they look to retain their championship crown.
Prediction 2nd
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Last season 12th Coach James Webster Captain Danny Kirmond
Perennially written off season after season, Wakefield are once again out to prove the doubters wrong. After being considered favourites for relegation by many last year, they defied the odds rather comfortably, but doing so again will prove much tougher. With only eighth place or above a guarantee of avoiding the scrap with teams from the Championship, Wakefield’s squad size is perhaps the thing that causes most concern. There are some positives, though; the mercurial Tim Smith has returned permanently and in Webster they have one of the brightest young coaches in the game. However, that simply may not be enough this time round.
Prediction 12th
Warrington Wolves
Last season 5th (lost in play-off semi finals) Coach Tony Smith Captain Joel Monaghan
It was practically a year of transition for Warrington in 2014, who had to begin the rebuilding job after the loss of Lee Briers, Adrian Morley and Brett Hodgson. And that ultimately proved a task too tough for Smith, with the Wolves only finishing a disappointing fifth last year. This year should be very different though; Daryl Clark provides guile, trickery and legitimate excitement, while followers of the 2013 World Cup will need no reminding of the NRL star Ashton Sims and his supreme ability. Smith is one of the best coaches in the business to boot, and – after years of near misses – this could be finally the year when Warrington get their hands on the big one.
Prediction 1st and Grand Final winners
Widnes Vikings
Last season 8th Coach Denis Betts Captain Kevin Brown
Fourteenth (and last), 10th and then eighth since returning to the Super League show steady improvement for Widnes Vikings – so how do they better that in 2015? Last year was one to remember for the club, who reached the last four of the Challenge Cup, as well as that first appearance in the play-offs. With the star of last year now the captain, Brown will again be the biggest influence on any potential success. But repeating the heroics of last year’s campaign could be tough in a division that has undoubtedly improved, and they may find themselves in that middle eight when the divisions split come mid-August. Widnes, though, are well used to proving their critics wrong.
Prediction 10th
Wigan Warriors
Last season 2nd (lost Grand Final) Coach Shaun Wane Captain Sean O’Loughlin
After the loss of Sam Tomkins at the end of the 2013 season, last year was tipped to be a season of struggle (at least by their own high standards) for Wigan. But their coach, Wane, did it again, and pulled together an exciting, energetic squad that reached the Old Trafford final once more. And had it not been for the inexcusable actions of Ben Flower during that game, we could have been discussing a second successive Grand Final win for the Warriors. Hope springs eternal that Wigan can challenge again though, and the emergence of George Williams will help. He is one player to keep an eye on. Their young, exciting squad will challenge again – as they always do.
Prediction 3rd
