The 2020 Championship season has showcased plenty of talent in the opening few weeks so we have decided to pick out 10 players who are ready to make the jump up to Super League.
Jonathan Ford (Toulouse Olympique)
Like his teammate Kheirallah, Toulouse half-back Jonathan Ford is also 30 and will want to chance his arm at Super League sooner rather than later. The Australian has been devastating since joining the French outfit in 2011, with his delicate kicking, offloading and unpredictability making him almost impossible to defend against.
Brandon Moore (Halifax RLFC)
Another player who is untested at the top level is Halifax hooker Brandon Moore. The 23-year-old Cumbrian has impressed since joining the West Yorkshire side in 2016, helping them to the Super 8s Qualifiers twice as well as their historic Challenge Cup semi-final last season. The former Castleford man is lightning quick around the ruck, puts himself about in defence and shapes much of Fax’s attacking philosophy. Still with time on his side, don’t be surprised to see Moore become a Super League regular in the near future.
Liam Hood (Leigh Centurions)
Liam Hood has already been in Super League but he remains a top player for Leigh and will be pivotal in their bid for top-flight status. Having made over 80 appearances for the Centurions, the former Leeds hooker has been a workhorse with his tackling and direct running from the acting half position. Promotion is a must this season because Hood deserves to be pitting his wits against the best number nines in the country.
Liam Hood is congratulated by his teammates after scoring in their recent match against Hull KR. Credit: News Images
Brandon Pickersgill (Bradford Bulls)
Much like the aforementioned Moore, Pickersgill will be eager to get a Super League opportunity in the coming years as he approaches his 23rd birthday. In his three seasons to date, the Bradfordian has slotted into the full-back role with his hometown club superbly and has become a fan’s favourite. His excellent composure and effective support play has earned him many plaudits and as his game develops over the next few years, Super League clubs will start queuing up for his signature.
Dane Chisholm (Featherstone Rovers)
Featherstone Rovers half-back Dane Chisholm is another player who has top-flight experience and having toughed it out in the Championship for a number of years, he will fancy a crack at Super League again. He showed his class by helping Hull KR to survival in 2015, and we have seen more of the same in the second tier of late with his creativity, speed and expert kicking game helping Featherstone start the season with four consecutive wins. The 29-year-old former Melbourne playmaker is a popular figure in the game and would bring a lot of class to Super League.
Mark Kheirallah (Toulouse Olympique)
First up is the 2018 Championship Player of the Year, Mark Kheirallah. Since Toulouse’s promotion to the second division, Kheirallah has bagged a total of 869 points, and his natural ability to score points is owed to his fantastic support play and superb kicking. The 30-year-old has an effortless ability to chime into the attacking line, making him one of the most dangerous players in the competition and a sure asset for Super League.
Mark Kheirallah (right) has scored 91 tries in 119 games for Toulouse. Credit: News Images
Rhys Curran (London Broncos)
Seasoned professional Rhys Curran is one of London Broncos’ new boys having arrived for Toulouse in the off-season. The 30-year-old French international back-rower certainly knows his way to the line, having scored 39 tries in the Championship since 2017. His sheer power, support play and hard-hitting defence makes him one of the competition’s most respected players, and a shot at Super League would be a deserved reward for such a hard-working player.
Michael Butt (Swinton Lions)
Bradford vice-captain Sam Hallas has displayed excellent leadership since permanently signing for the Bulls, and his game has come on leaps and bounds too. The lively hooker wasn’t given a chance as a teenager at Leeds and if he is to make it back to Super League, he will have certainly come full circle. But Hallam has the ability and the ambition to make it to the top, especially if his game continues to progress at the rate it has in recent seasons.
Jack Teanby (York City Knights)
Last up is juggernaut Jack Teanby of the York City Knights. The 23-year-old arrived in North Yorkshire a year ago from Dewsbury and has proved tough to handle for most Championship defences. With great go-forward and solid defence, the no-nonsense prop is a key component in James Ford’s side and has the potential to take his game further. At 23 and having improved every season he’s played the game, Teanby could become the next Alex Walmsley if given a chance in Super League.
