Every Super League side’s 2025 recruitment graded as one team stands out above rest

Some Super League clubs are still looking for additions but most sides have completed their shopping for the 2025 season. The likes of Wakefield Trinity, Hull FC and Leigh Leopards have been busy and needed to be, too, as they prepare for what promises to be an important year.

Wigan Warriors have only made one new addition, though, with George Hirst joining before being loaned back to Oldham for the 2025 season, while Warrington Wolves haven’t been overly active, either.

With that in mind, we rate every Super League team’s recruitment going into the new year.

Castleford Tigers

Signings made: Zac Cini, Daejarn Asi, Louis Senior, Innes Senior, Judah Rimbu, Kieran Hudson

Grade: C+

Big changes have been made at Wheldon Road over the off-season, with a takeover seeing Martin Jepson named chairman, while Craig Lingard has been replaced in the head coach hotseat by Danny McGuire. The former Leeds Rhinos man will be working with a raft of overseas recruits, with Zac Cini, Daejarn Asi and Judah Rimbu making the switch with the latter two offering necessary improvements to the spine. The Tigers are on the right track but it’s hard to look at their squad and not see room for improvement in other areas, but that will take time.

Catalans Dragons

Signings made: Tommy Makinson, Elliott Whitehead, Luke Keary, Nick Cotric, Ollie Partington, Tevita Pangai Jr.

Grade: A

Catalans needed fresh blood after their disappointing 2024 campaign and they’ve managed to add six high quality, star names to the fold. Pangai Jr, Partington and Whitehead strengthen the Dragons’ pack, while Cotric and Makinson provide star quality on the edges. The Dragons shouldn’t be lacking creativity either with Luke Keary providing NRL experience in the halves. Steve McNamara will be feeling confident about the road ahead as he strives to help the club over their Super League dip last season.

Huddersfield Giants

Signings made: Tom Burgess, Taane Milne, Jacob Gagai, Zac Woolford, Liam Sutcliffe, George King

Grade: B

The Giants have managed to plug the holes that existed in their backline with Gagai, Milne and Sutcliffe providing quality and versatility. Gagai is expected to be the man to fill the full-back hole, while Milne and Sutcliffe should occupy the centre spots. Tom Burgess is the biggest name and Luke Robinson will be hoping he can play a pivotal role in the pack. He’ll be expected to be the leader within the group, too, as they move on from was a topsy-turvy year.

Hull FC

Signings made: John Asiata, Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Holmes, Aidan Sezer, Jordan Abdull, Cade Cust, Ed Chamberlain, Amir Bourouh

Grade: C+

Hull FC needed a raft of new recruits and they have spent big to get the likes of Asiata and Rapana into the building. They’ve brought in much-needed experience, too, but the jury is out on whether a few of those new faces still have enough left in the tank at the top level.
The Black and Whites have left themselves room under the salary cap to make further additions if needed and having struggled in the pack last season, it’s no surprise that the club are on the lookout for a middle.

Hull KR

Signings made: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Tom Davies, Micky McIlorum, Eribe Doro, Bill Leyland, Rhyse Martin, Lee Kershaw, Danny Richardson

Grade: B+

KR needed to replace some star names in the off-season, with the likes of Ryan Hall and Matt Parcell moving on. They have managed to do that with the signings of Davies and McIlorum, while Jared Warea-Hargreaves represents the most high profile addition made from the NRL across Super League ahead of 2025. The signing of Martin could well be pivotal, especially with his kicking ability, while signings elsewhere certainly improve on their depth.

Leeds Rhinos

Signings made: Ryan Hall, Cooper Jenkins, Jake Connor, Maika Sivo, Keenan Palasia

Grade: B+

The absence of Rhyse Martin will be felt, but Leeds have managed to add star power in other areas of the field. Sivo will add plenty to their back line while Jenkins and Palasia provide much needed strength up front. The addition of Connor is a curious one without knowing the position he will be playing in, but Hall brings leadership and character to a group that was lacking in both last season.

Leigh Leopards

Signings made: Tesi Niu, Isaac Liu, David Armstrong, Ben Condon, Brad Martin, AJ Towse, Ryan Brown, Will Brough, Andrew Badrock, Ethan O’Neill

Grade: B

Given the amount of changes within Adrian Lam’s squad over the off-season, it’s hard to know what the Leopards will be going into 2025. The additions of Niu and Armstrong look savvy ones, while Isaac Liu arrives with bags of experience. Whether they can suitably replace the likes of Matt Moylan, Josh Asiata, Kai O’Donnell, Tom Amone and Ricky Leutele though remains to be seen.
The Leopards have got their recruitment right in recent seasons though and they deserve the benefit of the doubt at present.

Salford Red Devils

Signings made: Sam Davis, Esan Marsters, Joe Bullock, Justin Sangare, Chris Hill.

Grade: C

Salford have managed to add size and strength to their middle pack unit, with Hill, Sangare and Bullock all signing on and the hope will be that they can use that base to build off moving forwards. Davis replaces the outgoing Bourouh, while Marsters offers outside back depth having made the move from Huddersfield. The Red Devils probably didn’t need to do too much, particularly given their savvy business during last season.

St Helens

Signings made: Tristan Sailor, Kyle Feldt, Lewis Murphy

Grade: B+

Lewis Dodd and Tommy Makinson were always going to be tough to replace but on the face of it, they have managed do to exactly that with some overseas talent. Feldt showed what he can do in the NRL play-offs a few months ago, while Sailor will have a point to prove after struggling for game time Down Under. Lewis Murphy will be eager to impress on his return to Super League, too, but Saints decided against the idea of adding fresh blood to their pack after losing Sione Mata’utia.

Wakefield Trinity

Signings made: Jake Trueman, Seth Nikotemo, Olly Russell, Matty Russell, Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone, Cam Scott, Corey Hall, Matty Storton, Josh Rourke

Grade: A-

In Trueman, Wakefield have a half-back who needs to prove a point after struggling for fitness and form at the MKM Stadium. However, the additions of McMeeken and Johnstone are huge coups, while Nikotemo will be expected to make an impact. The signing of Storton is a smart one, too, after spending the last few years at Hull KR. Elsewhere the likes of Scott, Hall, Rourke and Olly and Matty Russell add strength in depth and Super League experience to the newly promoted team.

Warrington Wolves

Signings made: Oli Leyland, Alfie Johnson, Dan Russell

Grade: B-

Warrington didn’t need to do too much in truth, but they have made additions to plug holes with Dan Russell providing back-row cover after the departure of Matty Nicholson, while Oli Leyland is another half-back option after Josh Drinkwater’s exit. It’s an interesting year for the Wolves and they’ll hope to avoid having to make more additions down the line.

Wigan Warriors

Signings made: George Hirst

Grade: C-

Hirst has returned to Oldham on loan meaning Wigan haven’t made any additions to their side after their quadruple winning season. Where they would improve on that is hard to say but standing still in the market is always a risk.