The oldest XIII of 2024 Super League players with 10 to play in 2025

We’ve compiled a list of the thirteen oldest players to feature in the 2024 Super League season and there is some serious talent on show.

Every player on the list is 35 at the time of writing, although some were 34 during the season, whilst the oldest player is set to turn 40 in the new year.

With age comes experience and this group boast thousands of Super League appearances with well over 100 international caps as well.

Naturally, the list is stacked towards the forwards with far more middles playing on to a later age than backs do typically with one of the players on the list having recently transitioned from centre to the pack.

Former Man of Steel winner Paul McShane misses out on the list by just one day so the 35-year-old, who has recently signed with York Knights, can be considered the 14th man.

Nine of the twelve Super League clubs are represented in the list with just Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Leigh Leopards not boasting any of the competition’s eldest.

The 13 oldest Super League players to play in 2024

Joe Westerman (Castleford Tigers)

Working from youngest to oldest and it’s Joe Westerman who beats out his recently departed Castleford Tigers teammate to make the list. The loose forward played all across the pack in 2024 but made an impressive 24 appearances. Heading into 2025, he’ll be expected to perform such duties again with the Tigers perhaps short at prop.

Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons)

The only previously retired man on the list comes next with Sam Tomkins featuring after coming back out of retirement during the middle of the season. His efforts improved Catalans but not to the point they made the play-offs, however, the two-time Man of Steel winner is set to go around again in 2025.

Kevin Naiqama (Huddersfield Giants)

Fijian flyer Kevin Naiqama made 23 appearances for Huddersfield in 2024 with the Giants boasting three names on this list. It had been thought that the centre had called time on his career with his final appearance coming for Fiji in the Pacific Championships in what his 25th cap. However, it was recently reported he’d signed with a team in Newcastle to play in the halves.

Willie Isa (Wigan Warriors)

Next up is Willie Isa who missed the majority of the 2024 season due to an awful ankle break sustained against Castleford Tigers in the Challenge Cup. Wigan Warriors recently renewed Isa’s contract meaning he’ll play on in 2025 and hopefully add to his 275 Super League appearances.

Danny Houghton (Hull FC)

One man who did not sign a new deal for the upcoming season was Danny Houghton with the Hull FC hooker calling time on his career. He played 14 times in 2024 which took his Hull FC tally to an incredible 450, cementing his status even further as one of the club’s best ever in Super League.

Mike Cooper (Wigan Warriors)

Mike Cooper is another to hang up the boots, however, for the Wigan Warriors prop it was sadly an enforced decision. A club statement confirmed that the ex-Wire prop had retired on medical advice. His past two seasons have seen very limited game time due to an injury in the Good Friday derby and Wigan’s huge pack depth.

Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves)

From one former Warrington man to the current club captain, Stefan Ratchford who is set to play his 14th season at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. A brutal facial injury ruled him out from Round 18 onwards meaning he only played 10 games in 2024.

Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants)

Leroy Cudjoe is next up with the Huddersfield legend sweeping up at the club’s awards night. His move into the forward pack, predominantly at loose forward, was one of the positives in an otherwise poor season for the Giants. He’ll go again in 2025 and could reach the 400-game mark for the club.

Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons)

Into the top five and new Hull KR signing Michael McIlorum starts us off. The 2024 season marked the hooker’s final one in France after making the move back in 2018. He’ll bring plenty of experience to a Robins front-line that will also feature NRL veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, someone who could feature on this list in 2025.

Ryan Hall (Hull KR)

From one new Hull KR signing to a player who has just left Craven Park. Ryan Hall has returned to former club Leeds Rhinos with the winger still adding to his incredible try tally having broken former teammate Danny McGuire’s Super League record earlier this year.

Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)

Chris Hill opens up the top three and is the first 37-year-old on the list. Despite this age, he’s just signed for Salford Red Devils on a one-year deal where he’ll look to add to his impressive 314 Super League appearances.

Adam Sidlow (Salford Red Devils)

A former Salford man sits second with Adam Sidlow playing just once for the Red Devils in 2024, called in for the last game of the regular season as Paul Rowley rotated his squad. Sidlow had been on loan with Oldham for the season but skippered a young team against Wigan Warriors. The 37-year-old has now signed for Swinton Lions.

Matt Davies (London Broncos)

London Broncos’ Matt Davies tops the list off with the 39-year-old playing just twice for the capital’s side. Whilst he’s two years older than anyone on this list, he still fell short of the oldest-ever Super League player, Steve Menzies, who was 171 days older and approaching 40.

The oldest Super League players from 2024

Matt Davies (London Broncos) – 01/03/1985
Adam Sidlow (Salford Red Devils) – 25/10/1987
Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants) – 03/11/1987
Ryan Hall (Hull KR) – 27/11/1987
Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons) – 10/01/1988
Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants) – 07/04/1988
Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves) – 19/07/1988
Mike Cooper (Wigan Warriors) – 15/09/1988
Danny Houghton (Hull FC) – 25/09/1988
Willie Isa (Wigan Warriors) – 01/01/1989
Kevin Naiqama (Huddersfield Giants) – 04/01/1989
Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons) – 23/03/1989
Joe Westerman (Castleford Tigers) – 15/11/1989

All data sourced from Rugby League Project