2026 Predictions

[Perth Red]

What's everyones predictions for table finish and cup winners?

1. Leeds
2. Wigan
3. Hull KR
4. St Helens
5. Leigh
6. Hull FC
7. Warrington
8. Wakefield
9. Catalans
10. Castleford
11. Bradford
12. Huddersfield
13. York
14. Toulouse

Challenge Cup Hull KR
SL champions Wigan

 

[Taking The Two]

Leeds?! I really don't rate them. I think they're in real bother if injuries hit, looking at their squad. I think there's a real lack of experience after their starting 17 and it'll be inexperienced kids expected to step up and I don't see them competing with others if that happens. I think there's a few that have better squads more equipped for the top 3 than them.

I really like Leigh's business in the off-season. Adding depth in Innes Senior and Liam Horne from Cas and adding quality in Adam Cook and Jacob Alick-Wiencke from the NRL to a squad that has Umyla Hanley, David Armstrong, Edwin Ipape, Lachlan Lam, Isaac Lui, Tesi Niu, Robbie Mulhern, Owen Trout and Joe Ofahenghaue is some smart business. Leigh have lost 6 home games over the past 2 seasons, the Leigh Sports Village is a bit of a fortress for them and they've had a core of their side together for a few years now, I think they're well placed to have a real dig this year. I've backed them for the cup and the League Leaders Shield. Whilst they have a tough start in Leeds, Saints, Wigan, Catalans and Wakefield, if they get off to a good start they'll be a real contender.

I don't like Warrington, I think Wigan look a bit stagnant and have hit the point where they're at their maximum on cap space given they'll have been extending contracts during the last few years of trophies though they'll be there or thereabouts as normal, I think there's far too many questions on Saints and where we stand to consider them as 'back' and Hull KR will be around the top 3.

I fancy Wakefield to make the play-offs as a bit of a "shock" prediction. I really like the Jazz Tevaga and Tyson Smoothy signings and added to what they've got, I think they'll compete.

I couldn't care less which way around the York-Bradford-Toulouse-Huddersfield dogfight for the spoon will land, though I would love Huddersfield to get relegated somehow.

 

[Perth Red]

Leeds?! I really don't rate them. I think they're in real bother if injuries hit, looking at their squad. I think there's a real lack of experience after their starting 17 and it'll be inexperienced kids expected to step up and I don't see them competing with others if that happens. I think there's a few that have better squads more equipped for the top 3 than them.

I really like Leigh's business in the off-season. Adding depth in Innes Senior and Liam Horne from Cas and adding quality in Adam Cook and Jacob Alick-Wiencke from the NRL to a squad that has Umyla Hanley, David Armstrong, Edwin Ipape, Lachlan Lam, Isaac Lui, Tesi Niu, Robbie Mulhern, Owen Trout and Joe Ofahenghaue is some smart business. Leigh have lost 6 home games over the past 2 seasons, the Leigh Sports Village is a bit of a fortress for them and they've had a core of their side together for a few years now, I think they're well placed to have a real dig this year. I've backed them for the cup and the League Leaders Shield. Whilst they have a tough start in Leeds, Saints, Wigan, Catalans and Wakefield, if they get off to a good start they'll be a real contender.

I don't like Warrington, I think Wigan look a bit stagnant and have hit the point where they're at their maximum on cap space given they'll have been extending contracts during the last few years of trophies though they'll be there or thereabouts as normal, I think there's far too many questions on Saints and where we stand to consider them as 'back' and Hull KR will be around the top 3.

I fancy Wakefield to make the play-offs as a bit of a "shock" prediction. I really like the Jazz Tevaga and Tyson Smoothy signings and added to what they've got, I think they'll compete.

I couldn't care less which way around the York-Bradford-Toulouse-Huddersfield dogfight for the spoon will land, though I would love Huddersfield to get relegated somehow.

Yeh Leeds was my outlier so as not to be too obvious! I saw a lot of good things from them under Arthur last year and with their youngsters having bit more experience.
I think Hull will pip Wakey this time around. Cartwright has got them firing at back end of season and theyve strengthened ok
Warrington who knows, could be rocks could be diamonds If they have a 2026 like 2025 youd have to think Burgess woudl be sacked?
Toulouse for me have strengthened the east out of the promoted sides so my fave for wooden spoon.
Catalans bit like Warrington for me, could bounce back with the change of coach or could be another poor year ahead. Will be watching our future Bears players closely!

 

[Taking The Two]

I don't think Hull have improved that much - Joe Batchelor looks a physically broken man. He's never been the same player since picking up an injury for Saints against the Dragons before the WCC in 2023, I think James Bell struggled in '25 for Saints and aside from that, it's Jake Arthur (very inexperienced), a hit and miss Harvie Hill and Sam Lisone that they've signed. I'm just not that impressed by them and think they'll be around 6th-9th depending on injuries.

I think Burgess has about 6 games at Warrington to keep his job. Saints, Wakefield, York, Cas, Leeds and Leigh is a tough start for Burgess and I think the fans will want 4 wins from those 6, otherwise I think they'll turn on Burgess.

Catalans are in too much of a transition period, for me. I think they'll be 7th-10th depending on a few factors.

 

[KennySterling]

The year ends in 6 so St Helens will win the Challenge Cup at Wembley.
They won it there for the first time in 1956, then 1966, 1976, 1996 & 2006 (Twickenham).
Heard it here first.

 

[jason taylor]

1. Hull KR
2. Leigh
3. Wakefield
4. Wigan
5. Leeds
6. Hull FC
7. Catalans
8. Warrington
9. St Helens
10. Castleford
11. Bradford
12. York
13. Huddersfield
14. Toulouse

Challenge Cup: Wakefield
SL champions: Leigh

I agree with @Taking The Two regarding Leigh, and I really rate Wakefield's roster for 2026. I think Daryl Powell will have them firing to go. I'm predicting St Helens to really continue their tumble down the ladder this season. They need a complete overhaul.

 

[Taking The Two]

9th is a wild shout. Even wilder with Catalans, Warrington and Wakefield finishing above us too.

The “overhaul” is happening anyway. Knowles has gone, Walmsley, Paasi, Lomax and Feldt retire at the end of the year and you’ve got Sailor and Hastings off contract with Robertson, Dagnall, Delaney, Stephens and Whitby signed up long-term. The changing of the guard will occur naturally at the end of the year, with Robertson and/or Whitby becoming starting halves (if not them being 6 and 7) and Dagnall to take over Feldt’s position as starter. The biggest issue I have is a replacement for Walmsley, I had hoped Saints would go heavy on Owen Trout, as unlikely as it was. There isn’t a metre eating, big minute prop to replace him in the ranks (though Klemmer will do the job in the short-term) and the English props off contract are Huddersfield level, so it’ll hopefully be utilising of a quota place, I suspect.

 

[Maika34🇨🇵]

Quels sont vos pronostics pour le classement final et les vainqueurs des coupes ?

1. Leeds
2. Wigan
3. Hull KR
4. Sainte-Hélène
5. Leigh
6. Hull FC
7. Warrington
8. Wakefield
9. Catalans
10. Castleford
11. Bradford
12. Huddersfield
13. York
14. Toulouse

Challenge Cup Hull KR
Wigan, champions de SL

Bonjour
les dragon seron champion cette saison

 

[TomMath11]

Leeds?! I really don't rate them. I think they're in real bother if injuries hit, looking at their squad. I think there's a real lack of experience after their starting 17 and it'll be inexperienced kids expected to step up and I don't see them competing with others if that happens. I think there's a few that have better squads more equipped for the top 3 than them.

I really like Leigh's business in the off-season. Adding depth in Innes Senior and Liam Horne from Cas and adding quality in Adam Cook and Jacob Alick-Wiencke from the NRL to a squad that has Umyla Hanley, David Armstrong, Edwin Ipape, Lachlan Lam, Isaac Lui, Tesi Niu, Robbie Mulhern, Owen Trout and Joe Ofahenghaue is some smart business. Leigh have lost 6 home games over the past 2 seasons, the Leigh Sports Village is a bit of a fortress for them and they've had a core of their side together for a few years now, I think they're well placed to have a real dig this year. I've backed them for the cup and the League Leaders Shield. Whilst they have a tough start in Leeds, Saints, Wigan, Catalans and Wakefield, if they get off to a good start they'll be a real contender.

I don't like Warrington, I think Wigan look a bit stagnant and have hit the point where they're at their maximum on cap space given they'll have been extending contracts during the last few years of trophies though they'll be there or thereabouts as normal, I think there's far too many questions on Saints and where we stand to consider them as 'back' and Hull KR will be around the top 3.

I fancy Wakefield to make the play-offs as a bit of a "shock" prediction. I really like the Jazz Tevaga and Tyson Smoothy signings and added to what they've got, I think they'll compete.
winbet
I couldn't care less which way around the York-Bradford-Toulouse-Huddersfield dogfight for the spoon will land, though I would love Huddersfield to get relegated somehow.

Interesting take. I get what you’re saying about Leeds — if they pick up a few injuries early, that depth could get tested quickly. It’s a long season and relying on young lads to step up straight away can be a gamble.
Leigh are definitely intriguing. They’ve recruited smart rather than flashy, and like you said, keeping a core together counts for a lot. If they come through that tough opening run with momentum, they’ll be right in the mix. The LSV factor is real too.