Super League: Club-by-club guide ahead of the new season

A look at all 12 teams

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CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Cas have been a breath of fresh air for the past two seasons. Is it too much to expect of them again?

Star player Luke Gale (above) – graduated to England squad.

Coach Daryl Powell

Captain Michael Shenton

Last season Fifth

Prediction Sixth

In Crooks (Parramatta), Hampshire (Wigan), Hitchcox (Featherstone), Minikin (York), Monaghan (Warrington).

Out Bailey (Warrington), Carney (Salford), Channing (Featherstone), Finn, Gibson (Wakefield), Wheeldon (Sheffield).

CATALAN DRAGONS

Recruitment impressive. But must improve away form to mount a top-four challenge.

Star player Pat Richards – a proven match-winner.

Coach Laurent Frayssinous

Captain Rémy Casty (above)

Last season Eighth

Prediction Fifth

In Aiton (Leeds), Broughton (Huddersfield), Horo (Manly), Myler (Warrington), Richards (Wests Tigers), Stewart (South Sydney), Taylor (Gold Coast).

Out Garcia (Penrith), Henderson (Sydney), Lima, Whitehead (Canberra), Oldfield (South Sydney), Pala (released), Taia (Gold Coast), Tonga (Leigh).

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS

The Giants have become regular top-four contenders, but look a little thin in the forwards this year.

Star player Danny Brough (above) – everything still goes through him.

Coach Paul Anderson

Captain Danny Brough

Last season Fourth

Prediction Seventh

In Hinchcliffe (Melbourne), Patrick (Wigan), Rapira (NZ Warriors).

Out Broughton (Catalans), Hughes (Warrington), Kopczak (Salford), Mullally, Ferres (Leeds).

HULL FC

Major recruitment means hopes are high in the black-and-white half of the city.

Star player Frank Pritchard (above) – a forward who can lift the whole team.

Coach Lee Radford

Captain Gareth Ellis

Last season Seventh

Prediction Eighth

In Fonua (Melbourne), Manu (Penrith), Pritchard (Canterbury), Taylor (Salford), Tuimavave (Newcastle), Washbrook (Wakefield).

Out Lineham, Westerman (Warrington), Paea (Newcastle), Rankin (Wests Tigers), Sa (Widnes).

HULL KINGSTON ROVERS

Need to keep key players fit if they are to build on last season’s appearance in the Cup final.

Star player Terry Campese (above) – if he returns in the form he showed last year.

Coach Chris Chester

Captain Terry Campese

Last season 10th

Prediction Ninth

In Clarkson, Minns, Mulhern (Leeds), Greenwood, Thornley (Wigan), Shaw (Bradford).

Out Cox (Warrington), Goulding (retired), McCarthy (St George Illawarra).

LEEDS RHINOS

This could finally be the season of transition, but their production line still makes them the team to beat.

Star player Danny McGuire – will thrive in leadership role.

Coach Brian McDermott

Captain Danny McGuire (above)

Last season First

Prediction First

In Baldwinson (Featherstone), Falloon (Gold Coast), Galloway (Wests Tigers), Mullally (Huddersfield).

Out Aiton (Catalans), Clarkson, Minns, Mulhern (Hull KR), Leuluai, Peacock (retired), Sinfield (Leeds RU).

ST HELENS

With a young pack bound to improve, will be thereabouts again – but will that be enough for impatient fans?

Star player Alex Walmsley (above) – outstanding last year, promises to be even better this.

Coach Keiron Cunningham

Captain John Wilkin

Last season Second

Prediction Fourth

In Fages, Tasi (Salford), Owens (Widnes), Peyroux (NZ Warriors).

Out Flanagan (Salford), Masoe, Quinlan (St George Illawarra).

SALFORD RED DEVILS

They are looking for a different mix this year – less hype and more substance.

Star player Robert Lui – made big impression in pre-season.

Coach Tim Sheens

Captain Tommy Lee (above)

Last season 11th

Prediction 10th

In Carney (Castleford), Flanagan (St Helens), Joseph (Widnes), Kopczak (Huddersfield), Lui (North Queensland), Murdoch-Masila (Penrith), O’Brien (Warrington), Sarsfield (Leigh), Vidot (Brisbane).

Out Chase, Hansen, Maitua, Paterson (Leigh), Fages, Tasi (St Helens), Jones-Bishop, Walton (Wakefield), Taylor (Hull), Thornley (Hull KR).

WAKEFIELD WILDCATS

Big changes and experienced coach, but it still looks like another season of struggle.

Star player Liam Finn – needs to seize control in midfield.

Coach Brian Smith

Captain Danny Kirmond (above)

Last season 12th

Prediction 12th

In Arona, Tupou (Cronulla), England (Warrington), Finn, Gibson (Castleford), Jones-Bishop, Walton (Broncos), Morris (London).

Out Collis, Locke, Smith (released), Lauitiiti (NZ Warriors).

WARRINGTON WOLVES

A lot of reputations need to be rebuilt after disappointing 2015, but have the squad to bounce back.

Star player Kurt Gidley – should provide leadership.

Coach Tony Smith

Captain Chris Hill (above)

Last season Sixth

Prediction Third

In Bailey (Castleford), Cox (Hull KR), Dodds (Brisbane), Gidley (Newcastle), Hughes (Wigan), Lineham, Westerman (Hull).

Out Asotasi, Grix (retired), Bridge (Widnes), England (Wakefield), Monaghan (Castleford), Myler (Catalans), O’Brien (Salford).

WIDNES VIKINGS

The best that can be expected is that they will be steady enough at home to stay away from bottom spot.

Star player Kevin Brown – genuine class they are fortunate to have.

Coach Denis Betts

Captain Kevin Brown

Last season Ninth

Prediction 11th

In Bridge (Warrington), Houston (Newcastle), Sa (Hull), Thompson (Canterbury).

Out Galea (retired), Isa (Wigan), Joseph (Salford), Kavanagh (Bradford), Owens (St Helens).

WIGAN WARRIORS

Frustration is mounting at a club that feels it should have won Super League. This could be their time.

Star player Sam Tomkins (above) – how he fares will be a defining factor.

Coach Shaun Wane

Captain Sean O’Loughlin

Last season Third

Prediction Second and Grand Final winners

In Isa (Widnes), Tomkins (NZ Warriors).

Out Bowen (retired), Burgess (Sydney), Greenwood, Thornley (Hull KR), Hampshire (Castleford), Hughes (Warrington).