Prost Rugby League: 2023 Super League Predictions

With the 2023 Super League season upon us, our writers have taken a look the upcoming year and given their predictions.

Christian Lee: @LeeChristian29

1. St Helens
2. Leeds Rhinos
3. Wigan Warriors
4. Salford Red Devils
5. Huddersfield Giants
6. Castleford Tigers
7. Catalan Dragons
8. Hull FC
9. Warrington Wolves
10. Leigh Leopards
11. Hull KR
12. Wakefield Trinity

It is hard to see anyone breaking the dominance of St Helens at the top of the table, especially with James Roby playing in 2023 which means the spine of the side has not been unsettled.  I can also see Castleford sneaking into the playoffs ahead of Catalan. The Tigers were agonisingly close to making the playoffs in 2022 despite their constant battle against injuries, and the additions of Jacob Miller and Gareth Widdop may be what they need to take the next step.

At the other end of the table I believe that it will be a relegation battle between Hull KR and Wakefield. Both teams struggled last season and neither have recruited well enough to convince me that anything will change in 2023. Although I have Leigh down in 10th, I believe they have recruited well enough to be well clear of the bottom two and may even be pushing for the playoffs come September.

Adam Clarke: @ACJournoContent

1. St. Helens
2. Wigan Warriors
3. Catalan Dragons
4. Leeds Rhinos
5. Huddersfield Giants
6. Warrington Wolves
7. Salford Red Devils
8. Hull FC
9. Castleford Tigers
10. Hull KR
11. Wakefield Trinity
12. Leigh Leopards

St. Helens in first place is the one prediction I’m certain I’ll get right. What a team they have been recently, and I don’t see any reasons as to why they would fall away this year. They are also my favourites to win the Grand Final. Wigan, who I have in second place have built a fantastic squad that can certainly compete with St. Helens this year. After managing to keep a hold of most of their key players, I believe they will only kick on in 2023.

I believe third, fourth and fifth speak for themselves, three quality sides there and I’m sure they will all secure play-off spots. I think Warrington will just sneak into the last play-off spot. They can surely only improve on last year’s performances and they have made some excellent short term additions to their squad. That means to just miss out on the top six I have Salford. The did get play-off rugby last year and they have some fantastic players, but not a great deal of quality squad depth, which all of my predicted top six do have. I think a few injuries and suspensions might just derail their season.

Seventh, eight and ninth again have decent squads, but I don’t think there’re good enough to displace anyone above them. I think Wakefield in 11^th is incredibly predictable. Their squad doesn’t leap off the page when you look at it, but having been ever presents in the Super League since 1999, they always find a way to survive. Then finally I predicted Leigh to come last. I’m not overly confident on this as I do think they’ve built an excellent side for this level. However, as we have seen over the years, it’s incredibly difficult for a side promoted from the Championship to survive the immediate drop.

Louis Chapman-Coombe: @LCCJournalist

1. St Helens
2. Huddersfield Giants
3. Wigan Warriors
4. Catalans Dragons
5. Leeds Rhinos
6. Salford Red Devils
7. Castleford Tigers
8. Hull FC
9. Hull KR
10. Warrington Wolves
11. Leigh Leopards
12. Wakefield Trinity

This season will be really close, with all teams between 10th to 3rd pushing and within a shout for a play-offs, and it could end in any order. I think St Helens will win the title again and make it five in a row and i think it will be Wakefield who will be relegated after a number of poor seasons flirting with the drop.

Eithan Boulter-Ashcroft: @99EITHAN

1. Wigan Warriors
2. St Helens
3. Leeds Rhinos
4. Huddersfield Giants
5. Warrington Wolves
6. Salford Red Devils
7. Catalans Dragons
8. Castleford Tigers
9. Hull FC
10. Hull KR
11. Leigh Leopards
12. Wakefield Trinity

Saints have been unstoppable in the previous four seasons under Kristian Woolf and Justin Holbrook leaving every team behind them. They will be definite favourites to win their fifth title in a row but this year I think Wigan have the potential to break the winning run. The Warriors have strengthened in positions they needed with great signings in Toby King and Jake Wardle. It will be very close but I fancy the Warriors to finish top of the table.

Wakefield have one of the weakest side in the competition having lost one of their most influential players in Jacob Miller in the offseason. I see them having a difficult season.

Josh Knowles: @JKnowlesSport

1. St Helens
2. Wigan Warriors
3. Huddersfield Giants
4. Salford Red Devils
5. Leeds Rhinos
6. Warrington Wolves
7. Castleford Tigers
8. Catalans Dragons
9. Leigh Leopards
10. Hull KR
11. Hull FC
12. Wakefield Trinity

Starting with the top, I’m backing Saints to make it half a decade of dominance with a fifth Grand Final title in a row. They’ve avoided losing key names and once again look strong heading into the new season.

I think Ian Watson’s Huddersfield are looking strong and with recruitment including the likes of Jake Connor, I fancy them to be dark horses this season along with newly promoted Leigh Leopards. A new brand, new direction and in my opinion, a new trend as we have seen many promoted teams relegated straight back into this Championship. But not for me this year, Leigh blew the second tier away last year and i think they’re the strongest promoted side we’ve seen in a number of years.

As for the drop, i’ve backed Wakefield to drop down. I’m not convinced by their off-season recruitment and I think they’re a standard below the rest of the teams who are likely to loom around the drop.

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