Predicting the Super League table after the first five rounds with Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants set to impress

This morning the fixtures for the 2023 Super League season were confirmed.

As always, there’s some exciting fixtures all the way through the campaign and especially the opening few rounds.

Those opening rounds are often so important to the context of a season and can help make or break a season.

So, with that in mind, here’s our predictions for the opening five rounds and how the table will look after them:

Round One
Warrington Wolves 12-18 Leeds Rhinos
Leigh Leopards 12-24 Salford Red Devils
Wakefield Trinity 22-16 Catalans Dragons
Hull KR 10-26 Wigan Warriors
Hull FC 24-16 Castleford Tigers

In the opening round of fixtures, Warrington will host Leeds in what should be a close and exciting encounter. However, the Rhinos may just have the edge over the new look Wolves. Meanwhile, Leigh’s return to Super League sees them host Salford Red Devils. The Leopards will be hard to beat but we’ve seen how potent Salford can be in attack and that can lead them to a win. Meanwhile, it could be a winning start for Mark Applegarth at Wakefield Trinity as they take on a rebuilding Catalans Dragons side where home advantage could be enough to give them the win. Home advantage however meanwhile may not allow Hull KR to stun Wigan Warriors in Round One who should have an even better attack in 2023 after the arrival of two exciting centres. Lastly, Tony Smith’s reign at Hull FC could begin with a win over Lee Radford’s Castleford.

Round Two
Salford Red Devils 30-16 Hull KR
Leeds Rhinos 28-22 Hull FC
Wigan Warriors 30-14 Wakefield Trinity
Huddersfield Giants 18-10 Warrington Wolves
Catalans Dragons 26-16 Leigh Leopards
Castleford Tigers 24-20 St Helens

Then in Round Two, Salford’s attacking prowess and momentum could see them make two wins from two before Rohan Smith edges a family feud with uncle Tony down to home advantage. Wigan Warriors will be expected to beat Wakefield Trinity in Round Two whilst Huddersfield Giants’ new season may start off well at home against Warrington with their new signings set to make them even more dangerous. At home, Catalans may be too tough of a test for Leigh Leopards whilst Castleford Tigers may stun St Helens who will come into the game a week after a World Club Challenge battle with Penrith Panthers which often sees teams slip up the week after.

Round Three
Warrington Wolves 26-20 Salford Red Devils
St Helens 20-12 Leeds Rhinos
Castleford Tigers 18-24 Wigan Warriors
Hull KR 19-18 Leigh Leopards
Catalans Dragons 20-16 Hull FC
Wakefield Trinity 12-30 Huddersfield Giants

Warrington could get a first win of the season against Salford in Round Three at home whilst Champions St Helens will look to lay down a marker against Leeds Rhinos in a Grand Final rematch. Wigan’s strong start to the season should persist at the Jungle whilst Hull KR vs Leigh Leopards is too close to call. Once again at home, Catalans could have the beating of Hull FC whilst a star-studded Huddersfield Giants may have the beating of Wakefield in a West Yorkshire derby.

Round Four
Wigan Warriors 32-22 Catalans Dragons
Huddersfield Giants 28-18 Castleford Tigers
Leeds Rhinos 30-16 Wakefield Trinity
Hull KR 10-20 Warrington Wolves
Leigh Leopards 12-26 St Helens
Hull FC 18-16 Salford Red Devils

Catalans’ good form may end at the DW Stadium against Wigan whilst another unbeaten side Huddersfield at home should have enough against a good Castleford Tigers side. At home, Leeds should get back on track against Wakefield. Leigh’s difficult start to the season sees them take on the Champions which again may be too tough for them whereas Hull FC could have what it takes to just about edge Salford.

Round Five
Castleford Tigers 22-12 Leeds Rhinos
St Helens 20-6 Hull FC
Huddersfield Giants 22-26 Wigan Warriors
Warrington Wolves 12-24 Leigh Leopards
Catalans Dragons 32-16 Hull KR
Salford Red Devils 30-18 Wakefield Trinity

As the opening five rounds conclude, Castleford Tigers at home may have enough to avenge their heartbreaking defeat to Leeds Rhinos that ended their play-off hopes last season. St Helens will be favourites to make it three wins in a row as the two unbeaten teams collide at the John Smith’s Stadium but Wigan may just about have enough to take a four point lead at the top of the table. Leigh could get their first win away at Warrington after their star signings have had some time to settle. Catalans – back at home – will be favourites against Hull KR whilst the same could be said of Salford Red Devils.

Table after five rounds:

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

After five rounds, Wigan could be unbeaten and five points clear with St Helens and Huddersfield Giants just behind having played a game less. Leeds, Salford and Catalans seem set for decent starts to the season with Hull FC, Warrington and Castleford not far behind. The bookies’ outsiders for play-off rugby, Hull KR, Leigh and Wakefield, could start off slowly but all three have the potential to kick off beyond the opening five rounds especially with Leigh having time to allow their signings to settle.