Last year produced arguably the most unpredictable Super League season in history as Leeds went straight from winning the treble to a relegation scrap before Wigan defeated Warrington to lift the Grand Final trophy at Old Trafford. But how will all 12 teams - including newly promoted Leigh - fare in 2017?
Castleford Tigers
Last season 5th Coach Daryl Powell Captain Michael Shenton
Had injuries not taken their toll on Castleford last season, they could easily have made the play-offs but the top four ultimately proved a step too far. Their off-season was initially dominated by Denny Solomona’s acrimonious departure to Sale but in recruits like the former Man of Steel Zak Hardaker hopes are high that Castleford can break the monopoly at the top of Super League. Keeping their big names fit will be vital but Cas appear to have the potential to be serious contenders.
Key player Luke Gale
Now a fully fledged England international, Gale’s career continues to go from strength to strength and, with a World Cup on the horizon at the end of this year, the scrum-half will have one eye on impressing Wayne Bennett.
Prediction 4th
Catalans Dragons
Last season 6th Coach Laurent Frayssinous Captain Rémi Casty
At one stage last season Catalans’ star-studded team looked to have finally rid themselves of the problematic away form which has plagued them since their introduction into Super League over a decade ago. However, they fell away in the Super 8s and finished in sixth – such is the level of expectation in Perpignan, that will have been regarded as a disappointment. Getting their form right on their travels is key but a slow start could see Frayssinous come under early pressure.
Key player Greg Bird
The former Australia international has returned to Perpignan for a second spell and, if he produces the form he did first time around, Catalans will be much the better for it.
Prediction 7th
Huddersfield Giants
Last season 11th (third in Qualifiers) Coach Rick Stone Captain Leroy Cudjoe
There is a feeling in Huddersfield that coming so close to the Million Pound Game last season will inspire a surge back up the table in 2017, but doing so will be tough in a Super League that looks significantly stronger than 12 months ago. A large portion of Huddersfield’s new signings – five, no less – come from the Bradford side who finished fifth in the Championship last year, while their big overseas import, Jake Mamo, will miss the start of the year due to injury. They will be better without doubt but making the top eight will be their primary focus.
Key player Jake Mamo
The 22-year-old arrives from Newcastle Knights with high hopes, given his undoubted talent, but there is also significant pressure on such young shoulders.
Prediction 9th
Hull FC
Last season 3rd Coach Lee Radford Captain Gareth Ellis
Winning the Challenge Cup at Wembley for the first time in their history was, perhaps unsurprisingly, 2016’s peak for Hull – but from there their league form dipped badly. At one stage they looked good value to reach the Grand Final for the first time since 2006 but the Wembley hangover proved too large. They will once again be in the thick of the race for Old Trafford but, with the teams around them having strengthened, it will be a much more closely contested battle.
Key player Gareth Ellis
Now 35, Ellis produced arguably the form of his career last season to spearhead Hull’s charge on all fronts. He will again be vital in 2017.
Prediction 5th
Leigh Centurions
Last season 1st in Championship (promoted via Qualifiers) Coach Neil Jukes Captain Mickey Higham
After three years of continued dominance in the Championship, Leigh managed to make light work of the Qualifiers in 2016 to secure promotion with the kind of form that could suggest a serious tilt at the Super League top eight. However, the step up in class will prove a tough one, as will the rigours of facing full-time teams on a weekly basis as opposed to largely part-time opposition. Nevertheless, Leigh will feel quietly confident of upsetting a few sides this year.
Key player Glenn Stewart
The arrival of the former Manly and Catalans forward provides much-needed Super League experience.
Prediction 11th
Leeds Rhinos
Last season 9th (first in Qualifiers) Coach Brian McDermott Captain Danny McGuire
Last year proved to be Leeds’ annus horribilis as they went from treble winners to, at one stage, being right in the thick of the battle to avoid relegation. However, as their key men returned from injury at the end of the season, Leeds showed signs of revival, winning all seven games in the Qualifiers. An instant return to the winners’ circle may be a shade too optimistic but Leeds should be too good to be in the bottom four this year.
Key player Danny McGuire
The captain was limited to 10 games last season due to niggling injuries but, if he returns to full fitness this year, Leeds will be much improved.
Prediction 6th
Salford Red Devils
Last season 10th (won Million Pound Game) Coach Ian Watson Captain Michael Dobson
How Salford survived the Million Pound Game in such dramatic fashion in October perhaps overshadows the fact that, without the six-point deduction imposed on them by the Rugby Football League, they would have made the top eight. Ian Watson has turned the Red Devils into a side with plenty of potential but in a keenly contested Super League a strong start will be crucial if Salford are to avoid the heart-stopping drama they suffered last year.
Key player Todd Carney
Salford’s capture of the enigmatic Australian could be a real masterstroke if they can get him producing the glimpses of brilliance he showed at Catalans.
Prediction 10th
St Helens
Last season 4th Coach Keiron Cunningham Captain Jon Wilkin
Given how St Helens were, even by their own admission, woeful for large parts of the first half of last season, it is impressive they came within 80 minutes of reaching the Grand Final. Keiron Cunningham’s off-season recruitment looks impressive but the former Wigan half-back Matty Smith’s broken leg in pre-season will be a massive blow. He should return for the business end of the season, though, and by then St Helens will be right among the leading pack. This could be the year they lift the big one once again.
Key player Jonny Lomax
It is no surprise that the England international’s return to fitness midway through last year coincided with their best form. He will once again be pivotal for the Saints.
Prediction 3rd but Grand Final winners
Wakefield Trinity
Last season 8th Coach Chris Chester Captain Danny Kirmond
Wakefield were last season’s real Cinderella story, going from the Million Pound Game to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and the top eight within the space of a year. Chris Chester deserves plenty of credit for the revival at his hometown club and he has recruited shrewdly as Trinity look to build on last year. He has flair and panache at his disposal with the arrival of Sam Williams from the NRL at half-back while Craig Huby and Scott Grix give Chester the depth and experience he lacked on occasions in 2016.
Key player Sam Williams
The Australian half-back played a pivotal role in Catalans’ run to the semi-finals of the play-offs in 2014 - and getting his signature was a major statement of intent by Trinity.
Prediction 8th
Warrington Wolves
Last season 1st (lost Grand Final) Coach Tony Smith Captain Chris Hill
Although they won the League Leader’s Shield, the fact that Warrington came up short in both major finals means 2016 has to be regarded as a year of disappointment. The departure of the mercurial half-back Chris Sandow was a blow but Tony Smith may have acted shrewdly in bringing in the Widnes captain, Kevin Brown, as his replacement. How he clicks with Kurt Gidley in the halves early on will give a clear indication as to Warrington’s chances of going one better at Old Trafford come October.
Key player Daryl Clark
The hooker rejected overtures from the NRL to sign a new deal with Warrington in the off-season – and in 2016 he returned to the form which had him named Man of Steel in 2014.
Prediction 1st
Widnes Vikings
Last season 7th Coach Denis Betts Captains Chris Houston and Joe Mellor
It goes without saying that finding the formula to survive without Kevin Brown will be Widnes’ biggest challenge this season. Brown was so influential that, at times, it was hard to imagine how the Vikings would win without him. However, should the new joint-captain, Joe Mellor, come of age in the halves, Widnes stand every chance of making the top eight – although a season of struggle is perhaps more likely.
Key player Joe Mellor
If Mellor can prove there is life after Brown at Widnes, the Vikings have a half-back with the potential to achieve great things.
Prediction 12th
Wigan Warriors
Last season Champions (Grand Final winners, after finishing 2nd) Coach Shaun Wane Captain Sean O’Loughlin
Shaun Wane declared Wigan’s win at Old Trafford last year the greatest achievement of his career and it was not hard to see why. Injuries robbed him of Sam Tomkins for the run-in to Old Trafford but Wane’s tried-and-tested method of turning to youth paid dividends as the Warriors emerged to become champions. Questions were levelled at Wane’s style of play for spells last year but Wigan showed they had the ability to get the job done when it matters. Do not expect that to change in 2017.
Key player George Williams
The 22-year-old is not just Wigan’s but England’s great hope in the halves. He showed last year he could handle the pressure and in 2017 he should be even better.
Prediction 2nd
