After a mixed first round of predictions, we’re back for our weekly Super League predictions with our writers in disagreement once more.
Before diving into round two, we must first look back at round one where editor Will Jackson fared the best with only the major shocks of York Knights and Toulouse Olympique winning stopped him from a clean sweep.
With the promoted teams faring so well in round one, it’s seemingly justified the expansion of Super League but also made the art of predicting a lot tougher.
This week’s games feel particularly tough with four of the six clashes in Super League featuring a round one winner versus a round one loser. Friday night features three of those games with Bradford Bulls hosting Catalans, Leeds Rhinos welcoming York Knights and St Helens seeing Leigh Leopards visit them.
The weekend’s matches pit winners Toulouse against Castleford before Wigan host Hull FC. Sunday’s game between Huddersfield and Wakefield is the only match between two round one losers.
Before any of those games is the game of the round with Hull KR taking on Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge on Thursday night.
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Super League Round Two predictions
Hull KR v Brisbane Broncos – 7:30 pm – Thursday, 19th February (World Club Challenge)
Will Jackson: Hull KR 14-30 Brisbane Broncos
This is very much a pre-season game for Brisbane, but I still anticipate them being too good for the Robins, who were some way short of their best last week against York Knights. Rovers will be determined to turn in a strong performance and I’m sure they’ll improve but I just can’t see them beating the NRL’s best.
Sam Brocksom: Hull KR 10- 24 Brisbane
Whilst I think KR will go toe-to-toe with the NRL Premiers for the first half, and could even lead at half-time, I think the Broncos have far too much star power and fluidity in attack to secure what will turn out to be a strong victory over the Robins.
Sam Cook: Hull KR 20-14 Brisbane Broncos
Hull KR are back to full strength for this one with Tom Amone and Dean Hadley passing fit, as well as Mikey Lewis surviving a ban. That said, Brisbane are a different beast and it’s hard to see a way Hull KR can get on top in this game with the weather perhaps their only advantage. English sides have won it the last twice and Hull KR have a thing for trebles so bring on the upset win for Willie Peters’ side.
Bradford Bulls v Catalans Dragons – 8:00 pm – Friday, 20th February
WJ: Bradford 18-20 Catalans
I’ve got to say, I was blown away by some of the stuff the Bulls played on their return to the top flight and had they been more clinical, they’d have beaten Hull FC on Saturday. Backing that level of performance up is always going to be tricky but they have the advantage of being able to head back to Odsal now. With a big crowd expected, I fancy them to make things very difficult for the Dragons, but I think the French side’s talent will just shine through enough to claim a narrow win.
SB: Bradford 16-24 Catalans
Les Dracs have shown that they can play, and win, in muddy and tough conditions for the past two weeks, and a rainy night at Odsal looks to be what’s on the cards come Friday. With Bradford’s injuries, and the pair of Dodd and Sexton combining well, I can’t see anything other than a Dragons win – however judging by round one you can never be too sure.
SC: Bradford 12-28 Catalans
The return of Odsal to Super League might not be a glamorous one given the weather reports but Catalans won well in the French mud last week and they could do so in English mud on Friday. Injury worries for Bradford are already emerging whilst Catalans halves look too classy.
Leeds Rhinos v York Knights – 8:00 pm – Friday, 20th February
WJ: Leeds 22-10 York
I was really impressed with what York had to offer last week against the treble winners. They were resolute, extremely hard to break down and they made KR pay for their errors. The challenge they have now is backing it up and producing the same type of performance on the road and while I’m sure they’ll be strong, I just fancy Leeds’ Super League experience to shine through here.
SB: Leeds 30-16 York
With a packed out Headingley crowd, Jake Connor returning and a number of other stars back in action, Leeds look to be too strong for the newly-promoted side, but given York’s result last week, the Rhinos will have to be at their best on Friday night.
SC: Leeds 26-10 York
Leeds found points hard to come by with Jake Connor out but York likely won’t be as strong as they were last week and this home game marks a perfect time for the Rhinos to kickstart their season.
St Helens v Leigh Leopards – 8:00 pm – Friday, 20th February
WJ: St Helens 16-10 Leigh
I had a feeling St Helens might start slowly last week and following the loss of Jack Welsby, it might be some time before their attack starts firing on all cylinders. However, I think they’ll make improvements in their home owner and if they find that defensive resilience they relied upon at times last season, they could pick up their first points.
SB: St Helens 14 – 20 Leigh
Leigh have become one of the powerhouses of the competition, and now have plenty of experience in being able to beat the big teams. I expect Adrian Lam’s side to continue that again this week, despite St Helens having home advantage.
SC: St Helens 18-24 Leigh
Adding Jack Welsby to the long-term injury list made the loss to Warrington even worse. If Tristan Sailor shifts to full-back and George Whitby plays in the halves, Saints will retain some spark but probably not enough to defeat a Leigh side who flourish with quick ruck speed.
Toulouse Olympique v Castleford Tigers – 6:00 pm – Saturday, 21st February
WJ: Toulouse 16-24 Castleford
Like most games in round two, I can see this one being tight. However, I’m backing the Tigers to become the first English side to win in France this season. I know it’s been raining in France, but in theory the warmer conditions might just play into the hands of Castleford’s high profile outside backs.
SB: Toulouse 22-26 Castleford
This game could go either way, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Toulouse emerge victorious. However, I think Castleford Ryan Carr’s men scrape the win, even with full-back Blake Taaffe out for the season with injury.
SC: Toulouse 28-20 Castleford
Despite defeat, Castleford performed well for periods against Wigan but Toulouse away is a torrid prospect, especially with full-back Blake Taaffe now out for the season with an ACL injury. This could be high-scoring but likely goes the way of the hosts.
Wigan Warriors v Hull FC – 8:00 pm – Saturday, 21st February
WJ: Wigan 28-12 Hull FC
Both teams picked up wins last week but I felt FC flattered to deceive last week and with all due respect to Bradford, they’d have been beaten against a better side. Wigan won’t let Hull off the hook like Bradford did and for that reason, I’m backing Matt Peet’s side for the victory.
SB: Wigan 30-10 Hull FC
Wigan have lost Jake Wardle, meaning their left edge will be depleted, and that could have an affect against FC. However, the Warriors still look strong enough to overcome the Airlie Birds, despite the away side having increased confidence going into 2026
SC: Wigan 18-22 Hull FC
Wigan were frustrated for long periods against Castleford and Hull FC know how to frustrate Wigan, defeating them twice on the road in 2025. Will Pryce will have to be special in attack and improved in defence but I fancy another upset for a club from Hull.
Huddersfield Giants v Wakefield Trinity – 3:00 pm – Sunday, 22nd February
WJ: Huddersfield 10-17 Wakefield
I could see this one being another edgy contest, to be honest. Neither side will be happy with their round one showings and both will be looking to pick up their first points of the season. Huddersfield being without Adam Clune and Niall Evalds is a killer for them, though, and I think that might just be decisive.
SB: Huddersfield 8-28 Wakefield
Wakefield had a poor start against Toulouse, and were outclassed in every department. Daryl Powell will want to see plenty of improvement from his side, as will Luke Robinson, but for me it’s Trinity who take the spoils, and by a comfortable distance
SC: Huddersfield 12-26 Wakefield
The Giants didn’t have a play the ball inside Catalans’ 20 metres until the 66th minute last week and they’re still without key pair Niall Evalds and Adam Clune, whilst also facing a Wakefield side who will be much improved.
Predictions Leaderboard
1st: Will Jackson – 5
2nd: Sam Cook – 4
3rd: Sam Brocksom – 3
Every week, the Serious About Rugby League writers will predict the scores of every Super League game with one point for the correct result and three points for the correct score. Above is the leaderboard after round one.
