Ranked: Super League’s five best forward packs

In Super League, it’s usually the wingers and halves that get the plaudits when a team plays well.

However, some of the greatest teams have to rely on a good forward pack in order to get the less-flashy side of the game to go their favour.

With that in mind, Serious About RL ranks Super League’s best five packs in the 2024 season.

5. Hull KR

It’s Mikey Lewis that generally gets the plaudits when KR play well, but their forwards have also been key.

James Batchelor and Elliot Minchella are both in the top 5 for tackles this season, with Jez Litten and Jai Whitbread not far behind.

Litten is also a great kicker, adding another bit of importance to the side.

If they’re to finish high in the table this year, it’ll be down to their strong pack.

4. Warrington Wolves

They’re a really big pack, and it’s paying dividends this year.

Ben Currie, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Matty Nicholson are just a few of the second-row options, and are capable of gaining territory on their own.

Losing Daryl Clark was a big miss, but Danny Walker has stepped up well.

Strong carries and grind have been key to their charge up the table this year.

3. Wigan Warriors

Wigan have plenty of excellent forwards – Liam Farrell, Willie Isa, Kaide Ellis, Luke Thompson, Tyler Dupree, Liam Byrne, Kruise Leeming… the list goes on.

There’s no doubt that they have talent that most teams can only ever dream of.

However, they’re not in the top two because they can be overpowered at times.

Against weaker sides, such as Castleford and London, their pack has looked excellent.

However, against Salford, they seemed weaker, needing a bit of a smash-and-grab to take the points, and in 2023, they were steamrolled by Saints’ pack in the derby.

Penrith Panthers’ pack ensured the Aussies had much of the possession and territory, but the Wigan backs got them the win – and this is often the case.

2. Catalans Dragons

Catalans have consistently been one of the best sides in Super League recently.

They’re capable of overpowering teams with their giant pack – and have been for years.

Even in a new role this year, Mike McMeeken continues to be excellent, while Micky McIlorum at prop and Benjamin Garcia at loose-forward will always strike fear into opponents.

Julian Bousquet, Romain Navarette and Chris Satae also contribute to the forwards.

Bayley Sironen has also looked to be a smart addition to the squad this year.

1. St Helens

This one was obvious – the forwards are the the foundation upon which Saints won four Super League Grand Finals in a row.

Alex Walmsley has been one of the best props in the league for a number of years, and you can say the same thing about Morgan Knowles at loose-forward.

Matty Lees also looks to be one of the very best in Super League, and has plenty of years ahead of him.

James Roby was a key member of the Saints pack for almost two decades, and replacing him at hooker was never going to be easy. However, Daryl Clark has gone about his work excellently since his switch from Warrington, and has done his best to keep up the good work of the club legend that came before him.

Joe Batchelor, Curtis Sironen and Sione Mata’utia haven’t even been mentioned yet – this forward pack is packed with talent.