Ranking the most injury-affected Super League sides with Hull KR dominance explained

Super League being a contact sport means that injuries and suspensions will be inevitable but some clubs are harder done by than others.

Fans of all clubs will believe that their club have been dealt the toughest cards, as injuries and suspensions seem to mount up at the same periods of time. But, what do the stats say when it comes to having the best players unavailable?

Keeping players fit and consistent squad selections go a long way to having success over the course of a season, and the stats show that the top teams are the ones that are able to keep their best players on the field.

It is widely thought that players with the squad numbers 1-13 are, on paper, a side’s best squad and aim to put that starting 13 out as much as possible. Here is how many combined games that Super League clubs’ best starting XIII, based on those numbers, have missed during the course of the 2025 season.

NOTE: Matches missed only count for injures, suspensions and unavailability, not selection. If a player goes out on loan, their absence is not counted. For example, Niall Evalds’ move to Huddersfield Giants does not count on missing matches for Hull KR. It only applies when a player remains at the club.

Which Super League club have had the most players side-lined?

12 .  Hull KR – 44

Table-toppers Hull KR have had the least players missing this season, as they remain the only side to have 50 or less games missed by their starting 13. Oliver Gildart’s 12 is the most in the side, with NRL legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves next on the list, missing seven. It’s worth noting that Rhyse Martin missed a dozen games but is number 17 on the clubs roster.

Interestingly, Willie Peters has no players in his squad that are ever-present this year, but have five players who have missed just one match.

11. Wigan Warriors- 59

Wigan sit second in the least amount of injuries, with their 13 missing 59 matches combined. Kaide Ellis and Harry Smith remain as ever-present, with Jake Wardle and Junior Nsemba missing just once.

Abbas Miski has been unavailable the most in the Wigan squad, missing 14 matches.

10. Leigh Leopards – 60

The Leopards have just one more injury absence then their closest rivals. Three players remain ever-present for Adrian Lam’s side, including son Lachlan. Darnell McIntosh has missed the most matches this season with 12, followed by David Armstrong (11) and Josh Charnley (10).

9. Leeds Rhinos – 73

Leeds sit fourth on the list, however are the first team to have a starting player yet to play a game this season. Maika Sivo’s ACL injury has ruled him out for the entire campaign, meaning he his current tally is 22 matches missed, 30% of their overall total.

Hooker Andy Ackers has missed 15 matches, whilst loose forward Cameron Smith has missed 11. Those three account for 48 of Leeds’ 73 missed matches, highlighting how fortunate the rest of the squad have been with injury.

8. Castleford Tigers – 77

Castleford have had the fifth least amount of injuries this year, which is surprising given their current form and position in the table. Young winger Jason Qareqare has the most matches missed with 21, followed by back rower Jeremiah Simbiken with 12, some of which have been through suspension.

Liam Watts, the Tigers’ starting number eight, moved to Hull FC in March, meaning his tally only counts as three matches missed, counting from when he was still with the club.

7. St Helens – 79

Saints, like Leeds, have had a long-term injury this year, with Konrad Hurrell, named as the starting three, yet to feature in 2025. Tristan Sailor and Alex Walmsley remain as the club’s only ever-presents, whilst Jon Bennison and Joe Batchelor have both missed a dozen games this campaign.

6. Hull FC – 86

Ligi Sao, who the Black and Whites, received special dispensation at the start of the year to de-register due to injury, has missed the most games for John Cartwright’s men.

Herman Ese’ese remains the only ever-present, with Tom Briscoe and Aidan Sezer missing two matches each.

5. Catalans Dragons – 87

Sam Tomkins leads the way in Dragons’ absences, missing 17 of Catalans’ 22 matches this season. He is followed by Elliott Whitehead, who re-joined the club this year after a long stint in the NRL, but his move back to Perpignan has not gone to plan, missing 13 matches.

4. Salford Red Devils – 89

Salford, due to 10 of their starting 13 leaving the club, sit only fourth highest for players missing. Joe Mellor and Ethan Ryan, who both still remain at the club but have been injured for a large part of the season, has missed  15 and 14 matches respectively.

The Red Devils’ round one stunt where they fielded an academy side, is included in this list. Marc Sneyd missed the least amount of matches, missing only the opening match during his time at the club this season.

3. Wakefield Trinity – 90

Trinity’s best thirteen have missed a combined ninety games this season, with prop Ky Rodwell missing the most with 17. Halfback Oliver Russell has missed 14, with back rower Seth Nikotemo missing 13.

Wakefield’s match against Salford Red Devils that was cancelled last week, has not been included in the tally.

2. Warrington Wolves – 92

Wire have had the second-mpst absences this year, with young halfback Leon Hayes yet to play a first team game in 2025 due to injury. Key men Matt Dufty and Toby King were dropped to the reserves last week, after head coach Sam Burgess culled them from the side for poor performances.

Veteran Ben Currie is Wire’s only ever-present this season, with Luke Yates missing just the one game this year.

1. Huddersfield Giants – 99

It has been well documented that Huddersfield have been marred by injuries this year, and the stats confirm that they have had the most players unavailable this year. Centre Liam Sutcliffe has missed 18 matches, followed by Adam Clune with 17.

Jake Bibby has missed the least amount of games, featuring in all but one game in 2025.