Serious About Rugby League’s 2025 Super League predictions with Wigan Warriors, Hull KR, Leeds Rhinos and Salford Red Devils tipped for success

It’s the eve of the new Super League season so that can only mean one thing – predictions. Our writers have made picks on seven awards or accolades for the 2025 season. 

Predictions are always made with great confidence but rarely pan out that successfully, particularly in Super League which has a knack of surprising you. Who would have seen Leigh Leopards make the play-offs in 2023? The same can be said for Salford Red Devils in 2024, so one key question is who will surprise in 2025?

Our three writers have each picked a dark horse as well as their League Leaders Shield winner, Grand Final winner, Challenge Cup winner, Man of Steel, Wooden Spoon, and Super League top try scorer.

Only one category has a unanimous vote in it which highlights just how unpredictable Super League is. With that said, here are Serious About Rugby League’s 2025 Super League predictions.

2025 Super League predictions

League Leaders’ Shield winner

Will Jackson: Hull KR – Having gone so close over the last couple of year, I think this might be the year KR finally end their 40-year trophy drought. Willie Peters’ side proved last season that they can win the big games and I firmly believe Rovers are better equipped this time around. Whether they have what it takes to go all the way remains to be seen but I think they could take some stopping over the course of a 27-game season.

Sam Cook: Warrington Wolves – The strides that Warrington made in year one under Sam Burgess, boasting both the league’s best offence and defence in terms of points per game, cannot be ignored. Wigan beating a heavily rotated Wire side 19-18 a week prior to the Challenge Cup was the difference in them placing 3rd and winning the League Leaders Shield in 2024 so I’m backing them for that.

Sian Reed: Wigan Warriors – I just can’t see anything but Wigan again in 2025. Of course, it depends on injuries but a fully-fit Wigan squad is the best in the league. I don’t think they’ll walk away with it so it could come down to a last-round decider.

Grand Final winners

WJ: Wigan Warriors – It’s the easy answer I know, but it’s impossible to look anywhere else at this point. The Cherry and Whites were so dominant last season and you’d have to be brave to bet against them this time around.

SC: Wigan Warriors – Wigan are inevitable on the big stage, especially if they have Bevan French, who won Man of the Match in the World Club Challenge, Challenge Cup Final and Grand Final last year.

SR: Wigan Warriors – I can see Wigan scooping up the Grand Final too. Yes, they’ve only made one signing but the key has been retention. Last year’s youngsters are now senior players so if the new crop is anything like previous seasons, they’ll be the best in the league again.

Dark Horses

WJ: Leeds Rhinos – Leeds underwhelmed last season and they’ve had the setback of losing Maika Sivo for the year. However, after a full Brad Arthur pre-season they should be a lot more organised and disciplined and with Jake Connor looking like he could be back to his best, I fancy them to be right up there.

SC: Salford Red Devils– A team that placed fourth last year can hardly be labelled dark horses but once again, Paul Rowley’s side is being written off. That’s in spite of the fact they’ve retained almost all of their talent and are now seemingly on sound financial footing.

SR: Catalans Dragons– I’ve got a soft spot for Catalans this year. They’ve signed some big names across the board so once they all gel (following an average Challenge Cup win against Halifax), I think they’ll spoil the party for many teams. Plus they’re usually tough to beat at home so if they finally get their away form consistent, I can see them making the top 4 easily.

Wooden Spoon

WJ: Huddersfield Giants – It’s been a miserable pre-season for them with injuries striking and results providing a cause for concern. Castleford Tigers have struggled too but I think Huddersfield might just be the poorer of the two sides.

SC: Castleford Tigers – The weekend’s showing and poor squad investment make Castleford the obvious choice to pick up the Wooden Spoon, particularly given Wakefield’s investment and the fact that Hull FC cannot possibly be as bad once again.

SR: Castleford Tigers – I’m torn between Huddersfield and Castleford if neither side gets some loan signings in to strengthen. I think Castleford just edge it for me because whilst they have a big squad, most of it is inexperienced. It’s a tough first head coach gig for Danny McGuire.

Man of Steel winner

WJ: Bevan French – If it wasn’t for the injury layoff he had midway through the campaign, French would probably won the Man of Steel award last year. He’s still the best player in Super League in my book and if he can avoid injury, he should be one of the leading contenders.

SC: David Armstrong – With the way the Man of Steel voting works, players like Bevan French could be hampered given how many stars Wigan has so more of a dark horse punt would be David Armstrong at Leigh. His speed will terrorise teams in 2024, think Matt Dufty but faster.

SR: Luke Keary – The toughest category to predict pre-season. Junior Nsemba has to be up there following an incredible 2024 season but if it all clicks, Luke Keary could have a massive impact at Catalans and claim only their second Man of Steel award.

Challenge Cup winners

WJ: Warrington Wolves – I fancy Sam Burgess to pick up his first major trophy as a head coach here. Warrington haven’t made big changes over the off-season but like KR, I think they’ll be better equipped to challenge this year after another Burgess pre-season and over 80 minutes they’ll fancy their chances of beating anyone.

SC: Hull KR – The Robins have played in major finals in the past two seasons but their hunt for elusive silverware could end in 2025, with the big-game influence of signings like Micky McIlorum and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves set to prove invaluable.

SR: Leeds Rhinos –  I think it’ll be a Warrington-Leeds final, with Leeds just edging it (but Warrington could be the brides instead). They showed glimpses last season with a full squad and it’s been a few years since their last trophy. Jake Connor will get the Lance Todd trophy too.

Top try scorer

WJ: Kyle Feldt – The winger finished last season in red hot form for North Queensland Cowboys and I fancy him to carry that into Super League and excel in the red vee.

SC: Matty Ashton – As for the top try scorer, I’m going back to the fact Warrington Wolves were the top points scorers in 2024. Matty Ashton finished the season with tries in 14 of his last 15 games and an incredible 13 in his last six games (play-offs included).

SR: Ryan Hall – I think it’ll be the usual suspects up there again as last year (Liam Marshall, Matty Ashton, Josh Charnley) but you can never write off Ryan Hall. It’d be the perfect homecoming for him. He might be 37 but he’s twice the size of some of these younger wingers and has Ash Handley as a centre partner.