It’s the eve of the new Super League season and that means it’s prediction time. As such, our writers have put their necks on the line and made their picks for the 2026 campaign.
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 predicted Wakefield Trinity to make the play-offs last season? The same can be said for Salford Red Devils in 2024, so one key question is who will surprise in 2026?
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, Super League top try scorer, and surprise England World Cup call-up.
With that said, here are Serious About Rugby League’s 2026 Super League predictions.
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SARL’s 2026 Super League predictions
League Leaders’ Shield:
Will Jackson: Wigan Warriors – Matt Peet’s side won’t need to look too far for motivation this year with last season’s Grand Final sure to have left a bitter taste in their mouths. I expect them to hit the ground running this year then without the distractions that KR have early doors with the World Club Challenge and Las Vegas on their schedule, Wigan could be the first past the post in the league.
Sam Brocksom: Wigan Warriors – Having gone trophyless through all of 2o25, Matt Peet’s Wigan will be hungrier than ever for silverware, and I don’t think he will have to wait long to achieve that. With Leeds and Hull KR’s early season schedule overloaded with Las Vegas and St Helens adapting to life under Paul Rowley, the Warriors are in pole position for top spot, a feat that is incredibly difficult to achieve, despite it’s being seen as second best compared to the Grand Final.
Sam Cook: Leigh Leopards – The squad could be slightly too thin to do this but there is method in the madness, much of that focusing on how Las Vegas will impact Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos, with the Robins’ World Club Challenge also ensuring a rescheduled game at some point down the line. Wigan are obvious contenders but Leigh keep making strides forward and their recruitment looks top notch.
Grand Final:
WJ: Hull KR – Rovers were simply too good last season and what’s scary is, I think they’ll be better for the experience of getting their first Grand Final win over the line. They’re built for sustained success now and while I do think they might get off to a slow start, they’ll take some beating in the play-offs.
SB: Wigan Warriors – I’m backing Wigan to do the double this year, but given the fact there are so many teams who could realistically win at Old Trafford, whoever comes out on top spot will have been forced to work incredibly hard. That being said, Wigan have all the play-off experience they need, and if they can keep Bevan French and Jai Field fit and playing together, there are not many teams who can stop the Aussie duo.
SC: Hull KR – No longer the hunters but instead the hunted, Hull KR will relish this and whilst their League Leaders Shield defence may not succeed, I fancy them to come strong at the business end of the season.
Challenge Cup:
WJ: St Helens – I’m backing Paul Rowley to get things right at Saints and I think it’s an appointment that leads the Saints back to the summit of the Super League table eventually. This season, though, I think Rowley’s side will be a team capable of beating anyone on their day and that’s why I’m backing them for glory at Wembley.
SB: St Helens – Paul Rowley’s side will have a lot of adapting to do this season, which is why I don’t think they will win either of the other two trophies, but one they can certainly win is the Challenge Cup. We know how much Rowley’s teams like to throw the ball around, and in knockout rugby all you need to do is score more points than your opponent. With Castleford Tigers in round four, there is no reason why the Red Vee can’t put a run together and claim their 14th Challenge Cup.
SC: Warrington Wolves – Consistency in the league has been a clear issue and that is why consistency is one of the buzz words at the club this year, however, Wire have been very strong in one-off games in recent years. Having made the final in 2024 and 2025, surely this time it’s Warrington’s year. They’ve also been handed a very attractive draw against Championship side Goole for the fourth round.
Man of Steel:
WJ: Jackson Hastings – Hastings hasn’t been at the top of his game for a number of years, but I fancy him to make a real impact in this Saints side and I’m sure he’ll be one of the men spoken about by the new Man of Steel voting panel on a regular basis.
SB: Bevan French – Given the way the voting system has changed, I think the new format will benefit French, as he will now be judged on his performances through the year rather than ranked on individual matches. French, on his day, is the best player in the league, I don’t think many would disagree with that, and it’s only a matter of time before he picks up his second Man of Steel trophy.
SC: Jackson Hastings – Whilst I’m yet to tip St Helens for silverware, I think they’ll have a brilliant season and Jackson Hastings’ influence is a key reason. In the Paul Rowley system, Hastings could be something really special and with how the voting system has changed and the panel featuring two former Saints, perhaps he becomes a two-time winner.
Dark Horses:
WJ: Huddersfield Giants – It depends how you define ‘dark horse’, this. I am absolutely not backing Huddersfield to win anything this season and if I’m honest, I don’t think they’ll make the six. However, I do fancy them to be something of a surprise package and make strides on last season if they have a better year with injuries. That’s a big if and a couple of key men have already been struck down, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they made big improvements this year.
SB: Catalans Dragons – No team has a ‘dark horse’ feel to them this season, as there are so many teams that are in with a chance of making the play-offs. So, for this pick, I’ve gone for the team that I think will make the six, and that’s Joel Tomkins’ side. With a number of NRL recruits this off-season, it will take time for the squad to gel, but the likes of Lewis Dodd and Toby Sexton ooze quality, and with Charlie Staines at full-back, Les Dracs are certainly going to be one to watch this year.
SC: Hull FC – A drum that I’ve been banging all off-season. If injuries are kinder then Hull FC have a real shot at the play-offs and from there, it’s anyone’s game. They proved last year that they can knock off top teams in one-off games, as evident by their Challenge Cup win against Wigan and in their second year under John Cartwright, I’m backing them to end their play-off drought.
Wooden Spoon:
WJ: Toulouse Olympique – I just don’t think they’ve recruited enough and while I don’t necessarily love Bradford’s list of new signings, I think they could fare a little better against those teams in and around them in the division.
SB: Bradford Bulls – The Bulls’ squad is full of former Super League players, and that experience will bode them well through the year, but with Toulouse likely to pick up wins at home, be that due to the atmosphere or the away team’s travel, and York having the best squad of all three promoted sides, it seems as though Bradford will be the ones holding up the table come round 27.
SC: Bradford Bulls – Given the composition of the league, it does feel like one of the promoted sides will take this and with Toulouse potentially able to pick up points at home and York having such a strong campaign in 2025, Bradford are the odd one out. Their heavy recruitment isn’t enough to convince me although under Kurt Haggerty, they will certainly be fun to watch.
Top try scorer:
WJ: Kyle Feldt – Feldt missed a big chunk of last season but he still scored 20 Super League tries last season and if I’m backing St Helens’ attack to start firing under Rowley, which I am, he could be the man touching down the most.
SB: Matty Ashton – This pick is a huge risk given the Warrington flyer is coming off the back of an ACL injury, but Ashton has shown time and time again how prolific of a try scorer he is, and if injury comeback goes smoothly, there is no reason why the England international can’t scoop the top try scorer award and land himself a place on the plane to Australia to the World Cup.
SC: Zach Eckersley – Handed the starting wing shirt for 2026, Eckersley looks set for a true breakout season. He bagged four against Rochdale this past weekend and it’s clear he’s taken a step forward in the off-season with his size. He scored 15 in 24 in all competitions last year and looks set for bigger and better things in 2026.
Surprise England call-up:
WJ: Jackson Hastings – The Australian-born half-back has put his hand up to represent England and if he has the type of season I’m backing him for, I can see him taking up a spot on the plane. What role he would play is hard to say, but he’s versatile and that number 14 spot might just suit.
SB: Harvey Smith – This year’s World Cup will probably come too early for Smith, but there is no reason why the young Wakefield man can’t put his name in contention for a place at the tournament. Still only 20, Smith is one of the best English nine’s in the competition, and working under Tyson Smoothy will only develop him further. With Daryl Clark getting to the latter stages of his international career, Smith seems like the perfect choice to replace the St Helens man, be that in 2026 or in future tournaments.
SC: – Zach Eckersley – An easy shout given I’ve tipped him to top the try-scorer and the versatility that he offers, something that’s hugely valuable in a tournament squad. Eckersley can play winger, centre or full-back and in selecting him, it would allow a coach to likely pick just two other wingers and centres, thus giving you the much-needed depth in the pack.
Full Super League ladder:
WJ
1. Wigan Warriors
2. Hull KR
3. St Helens
4. Leeds Rhinos
5. Hull FC
6. Leigh Leopards
7. Warrington Wolves
8. Wakefield Trinity
9. Huddersfield Giants
10. Catalans Dragons
11. Castleford Tigers
12. York Knights
13. Bradford Bulls
14. Toulouse Olympique
SB
1. Wigan Warriors
2. Leigh Leopards
3. Hull KR
4. Leeds Rhinos
5. St Helens
6. Catalans Dragons
7. Hull FC
8. Warrington Wolves
9. Wakefield Trinity
10. Castleford Tigers
11. York Knights
12. Huddersfield Giants
13. Toulouse Olympique
14. Bradford Bulls
SC
1: Leigh Leopards
2: Wigan Warriors
3: Hull KR
4: St Helens
5: Hull FC
6: Leeds Rhinos
7: Warrington Wolves
8: Catalans Dragons
9: Wakefield Trinity
10: Huddersfield Giants
11: Castleford Tigers:
12: York Knights
13: Toulouse Olympique
14: Bradford Bulls
Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show – where we preview every Super League club ahead of the 2026 season
