Super League Season Preview 2022 - The End of the Bleak Mid-Winter

Here we are again! Another off-season is almost behind us and the Super League returns this Thursday! Four of the six matches from round 1 will be televised, including a repeat of the 2021 Grand Final, the first ever Super League match to be shown on free-to-air television in the UK and Toulouse's maiden top-flight appearance. Not a bad opening weekend!

We start with the Grand Final rematch between St Helens and Catalans. These two sides are the bookies favourites to pick up the big prize in 2022. St Helens have a new look spine, with Jack Welsby taking the #1 jersey, Lewis Dodd securing the #7 jersey (after impressively covering Theo Fages' absence from July last year) and Joey Lussick offering a new option at hooker. After losing the likes of Lachlan Coote, Kevin Naiqama, Theo Fages and James Bentley, I had thought St Helens may fall down the pecking order after a dynasty of dominance. The blend of strong recruitment and promoting young talent means I am no longer sure that will happen. They are still the team to beat.

They face a stern test, first up. Catalans also lost the experienced James Maloney, but there can be few better replacements than ex-Newcastle half back Mitchell Pearce! They have strengthened with the signings of Dylan Napa and Tyrone May too. Catalans will be no flash in the pan. These two sides are rightfully the favourites and their season opener promises to be thrilling. But Catalans face a tough start; St Helens, Leeds and Warrington (all away) and Wigan at home in the first six weeks. They may not make a lightening start, but don't let that fool you, they are still contenders.

By accident or design, the remaining four sides that made the 2021 play offs also face off on the opening weekend. The chasing pack, if you will. Leeds fans have been excited by the recruitment of David Fusitu'a, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer and James Bentley. Leeds had a solid 2021, and making a play off semi final showed progression on 2020. With heavy investment in the squad, Leeds will want more still in 2022. That would mean making it back to Old Trafford for the first time since 2017. It's a big ask but not impossible.

Warrington are Leeds' opening day opponents. They are bolstered by the recruitment of Daryl Powell, who has brought Peter Mata'utai and Oliver Holmes with him from Castleford. They have lost experienced prop Chris Hill, with Joe Philbin expected to step up to prop forward as a replacement. For Warrington, style matters. Steve Price's monotone interviews matched his teams limited attacking prowess. Daryl Powell is known for his off-the-cuff, entertaining style and getting the best from limited resources. Warrington presents a different challenge, where resources are vast. A style of rugby worth watching is the first step, the elusive Super League crown the next.

A trip to East Hull awaits Wigan in week 1, followed by Leeds at home. With Bevan French and Zak Hardaker unavailable, this is a tricky task. There was a gaping disconnect developing between fan and club in 2021. That has been resolved by the return of Shaun Wane, the impressive first impression given by new coach Matt Peet and a host of activities engaging the club with the community. Recruitment has not seen any superstar names join Wigan, although Patrick Mago looked exciting in a pre-season friendly success at Warrington. Wigan have done plenty right in the off-season, will that translate to on-field success?

By contrast, Hull KR's big pre-season signing was Lachlan Coote, a man who (in my view) took St Helens from nearly-men to champions. A fabulous player, who leads by example on and off the field. In a back line that contains Ryan Hall, Shaun Kenny-Dowell and new recruit Sam Wood, expect entertainment to be the name of the game once more in 2022. It may prove hard for Hull KR to improve on last year's sixth place finish and a semi final, but if Tony Smith can guide his side to the play offs again, this will be another masterstroke.

With Daryl Powell departing after almost a decade, Castleford found themselves needing a new coach. Step forward Lee Radford. The charismatic Yorkshireman may be exactly what the Tigers needed. Powell took Castleford to three finals during his tenure but lost all 3. Meanwhile, Radford lifted two Challenge Cups with Hull FC. He had plenty of low points too, which cannot be dismissed. I suspect that Radford's history of silverware is what persuaded the Castleford board to take a chance. Can Radford be the man to bring that long-awaited trophy back to Castleford?

His former club Hull FC are in the throws of their annual injury woes and the season hasn't even started yet! Brett Hodgson started with promise, but could not prevent Hull's now-traditional late season collapse. There is still much work is still to be done for FC to realise their potential. In the opening round, Hull FC return to Wakefield. They played their final game of 2021 here and were humiliated. A big start for the black and whites is essential, to ensure that their abysmal end to 2021 does not roll over into 2022.

There are changes at Huddersfield too. Theo Fages and Chris Hill are big-name captures and there is plenty of excitement regarding Will Pryce, who looks set to start the season at full back. Many pundits made bold predictions regarding Huddersfield last season, mainly based on Ian Watson's arrival. He will be disappointed with 2021 and has set a minimum target of a top six finish for 2022. It isn't out of the question but it would require a significant improvement on 2021 in order to do so.

With Richard Marshall shown the door, Paul Rowley finally gets his shot at a Super League head coaches job at Salford. Ryan Brierley returns to his home town team and Marc Sneyd comes back to where it all began. Brodie Croft is an impressive capture too. The Salford side that Rowley has assembled looks far stronger on paper than Marshall's side did. A play off challenge would probably be a step too far but I don't see the Red Devils been dragged into a relegation battle this season.

Willie Poching impressed in his caretaker stint at Wakefield, to the extent that he has secured the role full time. As with Salford, the recruitment of Lee Gaskell and Tom Lineham give the strong a sturdier look than the 2021 inclination and Chris Chester's departure last year was probably right for all parties. It's only a pre-season friendly, but defeat at Featherstone will cause concern. Wakefield may still be in for a tough year but they will have had far tougher in previous years!

Finally, that brings us to Toulouse. There is lots of excitement about a new team in the top flight, but I can only foresee a hard year. With Johnathan Ford walking out on the eve of the season and Mark Kheirallah (amongst others) potentially to follow, an already small squad has become disconcertingly thin. I struggle to see how Toulouse will avoid relegation. I am far from convinced that they will be competitive. I hope they prove me wrong!

If you follow the team names in bold throughout, that it how I think the table will look come early September. With the lack of international competition last season, this off season has seemed a particularly long. I can't wait until the big kick off on Thursday night!