Tremendous League 2026 pundit predictions: Hull KR to say glory once more? Leigh the darkish horse? Eyes on St Helens and Warrington Wolves?

Forward of the 2026 Tremendous League season, our rugby league pundits took a take a look at who’s standing out, the darkish horses, storylines to observe, and the BIG predictions…

Jon Wilkin’s predictions

Who would be the standout aspect in Tremendous League 2026?

Hull KR will go once more absolutely. They have been good for 2 years now and with Willie Peters on the helm I can see them going once more. So long as they do not run out of the key sauce of desperation and starvation they’ve had fuelling them.

A treble is difficult to observe up however KR and Wigan can be up there once more.

Who’s the darkish horse?

I’d say Leigh however I feel they’re a lighter horse, lighter than they’ve ever been. Silverware wouldn’t shock me and you’ll say the identical about Leeds. Each have real probabilities to win one thing.

Darkish horses for me …. I can not see the brand new guys within the league getting a lot carried out, Catalans are rebuilding from the ashes up. I’ll say Hull, in the event that they maintain match. A sneaky cup win and a strong stab on the playoffs? Probably.

What’s the greatest storyline to observe?

Warrington, I suppose they had been flatter than a flat factor final 12 months. All eyes can be on them from the get go in 2026. Additionally Paul Rowley in situ in his first excessive profile position can be good to observe.

There are a great deal of storylines throughout however I suppose how Rowley’s Saints and Burgess’ Wire get on in 2026 can be enjoyable to observe.

Jenna Brooks’ predictions…

Who would be the standout aspect in Tremendous League 2026?

It have to be Hull KR and Wigan once more. KR have misplaced some key gamers in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Michael McIlorum, however they now know methods to win and can need it once more. It is the other for Matty Peet and his workforce, they are going to be hurting after 2025, and I feel that determined starvation will return to the workforce this 12 months.

Who’s the darkish horse?

St Helens beneath Paul Rowley. We all know what he has achieved with a lot much less up to now. He’s again with former man of metal, Jackson Hastings and Nene Macdonald. I excited to see David Klemmer and Jacob Host in Tremendous League too.

What’s the greatest storyline to observe?

Darren Lockyer’s London Broncos. Unfortunate to not be one of many 14 in Tremendous League this 12 months and are odds-on to be there subsequent season. Darren and his enterprise companion Grant Wechsel had been company on The Bench Podcast with Jenna and Jon, and it is clear the Problem Cup is an enormous focus for the membership. It might be a very good take a look at in opposition to a few of the high groups.

Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Dean Hawkins are in nice type. Let’s have a look at what number of Tremendous League golf equipment they get linked with because the season goes on.

One large 2026 prediction…

Warrington vs London within the Problem Cup. Sam Burgess vs Jason Demetriou. It will be the primary time these two may have because the debacle at South Sydney. We now have cameras on the tunnel. JD approaches Sam and fireworks observe!

Barrie McDermott’s predictions

Who would be the standout aspect in Tremendous League 2026?

Hull KR- you can not ignore what they did final 12 months. Problem Cup, League Leaders’ Defend and Tremendous League champions. That’s not a very good season, that could be a assertion.

I beloved watching how Willie Peters constructed this aspect. It is aware of precisely who it’s. Powerful within the center, calm within the halves and ruthless when it issues. Mikey Lewis has gone from expertise to chief. Elliot Minchella units the tone and Tyrone Could retains the ship regular when it will get uneven.

They don’t simply win video games, they shut them. The one query now’s whether or not they can carry the load of being everybody’s goal, as a result of being champions is difficult and staying champions is more durable, belief me.

Who’s the darkish horse?

It feels unusual calling Wigan outsiders, which is strictly why they’re harmful. No person shouting about them, no person getting too excited, simply quietly sharpening the knives.

Jai Area nonetheless breaks video games in half. Bevan French nonetheless makes defenders appear to be they’ve misplaced their boots. Luke Thompson brings correct punch by the center and Matt Peet retains all of it easy. No drama, no headlines, simply requirements.

In the event that they hit type on the proper time you’ll not wish to see them in September. Historical past says when Wigan arrive beneath the radar they normally go away with one thing shiny.

What’s the greatest storyline to observe?

It’s whether or not Hull KR can repeat their success. Final season they gained every thing that mattered. Cup, defend and title. Now they set their sights on the most important take a look at of all: the Brisbane Broncos.

From kings of Tremendous League to making an attempt to knock off the kings of the NRL. No small ask. This 12 months is about whether or not final season was the height or the platform. Each aspect will circle their fixture and each week will really feel like a last. Welcome to life as champions.

One large 2026 prediction…

My large prediction is that Hull FC will not be fairly, however they are going to be an issue.

This would possibly not be about spotlight reels. It is going to be about metres, line velocity and graft. Underneath their coach John Cartwright there’s a clear identification. Sincere. Arduous working. No shortcuts. Add the followers and there’s a actual feel-good issue once more. Residence turns into uncomfortable. Perception grows. By the enterprise finish no person can be calling them outsiders. They won’t be modern, however they would be the aspect everybody desires to keep away from.

After 30 years of Tremendous League, it nonetheless comes all the way down to the identical factor: when the season will get ugly, the winners should not those speaking about it, they’re those nonetheless on their ft whereas everybody else is asking how lengthy’s left.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan’s predictions

Who would be the standout aspect in Tremendous League 2026?

I’ve to say Leeds Rhinos. The heroic disruptors, repelling one of the best groups with an Arthurian fortitude at AMT Headingley.

Who’s the darkish horse?

Warrington Wolves. Expertise and chaos welcomes Steve McNamara: a methodical, calming agent of order, steering Mark Sneyd with a full pre-season beneath his belt. They’re additionally a membership trying to its gifted youth system for solutions, somewhat than big-name signings.

Additionally watch: Hull FC – the sleeping big that’ll come again kicking and screaming, determined to chase down their big little sibling.

What’s the greatest storyline to observe?

The numbers: crowds, audiences, participation, industrial progress. Rugby league’s quiet surge turns into a headline, with curious new eyeballs coming into the sport.

One large 2026 prediction…

A Yorkshire clear sweep: All three trophies keep in God’s Personal County.

Jon Wells’ predictions

Who would be the standout aspect in Tremendous League 2026?

You’d be daft to disregard the claims of treble winners Hull KR, who I count on to see within the Grand Remaining once more in 2026.

Nevertheless, there are actually robust circumstances to be made for Leeds, Leigh, St Helens, Wigan and Catalans to be becoming a member of them at Previous Trafford – all I really feel have improved their squads on paper, maybe none extra so than the Dragons. In the event that they get it proper beneath Joel Tomkins, they might be very laborious to beat this season.

Who’s the darkish horse?

It’s so open this season in my opinion – however given the progress Hull FC made final season, I’d see them as an actual hazard workforce this season. Then once more, Wakefield Trinity have made eye-catching strikes within the switch market and so they may additional enhance in 2026.

What’s the greatest storyline to observe?

On the eve of the season, Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons made a switch/mortgage swap deal that appears to profit each golf equipment.

Nevertheless, the Dragons actually profit for 2026 with the addition of Kruise Leeming; dummy half was an space that the Dragons have not obtained proper for numerous seasons now – Leeming solves that downside. The Perpignan outfit acquire a top-class operating hooker who is among the most improved gamers in Tremendous League during the last couple of seasons.

His affect on the Dragons’ fortunes can be a season-long storyline to observe – I feel it might be the distinction between play-off soccer and never.

One large 2026 prediction…

Following in the identical vein as the entire above, I’ll confidently say that we can’t know who takes the League Leaders’ Defend, we can’t know the make-up of the play-offs, and we can’t know who finishes backside of the desk till the ultimate seconds of the ultimate recreation of the common season – that is how open and unpredictable I feel this season can be.

Megan Wellens’ predictions

Who would be the standout aspect in Tremendous League 2026?

Now, this would possibly sound barely left area however the workforce I see actually making their mark in 2026 is Leigh Leopards. I fee the squad they’ve collectively and with faster play the balls, I can see them thriving.

Come the top of the season, I’d not be shocked to see them in rivalry for the League Leaders’ Defend and/or strolling out at Previous Trafford.

Adrian Lam has been constructing for numerous years, stated on the finish of final season they had been a couple of gamers off, and now I feel they’ve probably their greatest likelihood of including extra silverware.

Who’s the darkish horse?

Wakefield Trinity had a superb return to Tremendous League in 2025 and I can solely see them constructing on that in 2026 with the fashion of rugby that Daryl Powell enjoys to play.

They’ve made some astute signings in NRL Grand Finalist Tyson Smoothy and Jazz Tevaga, including to that the truth that Jake Trueman has accomplished a full pre-season, they’ll again themselves to select up much more scalps than they did final 12 months.

I see them effectively inside high six rivalry and wouldn’t be shocked by them happening a run within the Problem Cup.

What’s the greatest storyline to observe?

I’m actually intrigued to see how Paul Rowley fares as he takes on the pinnacle coach position at St Helens. Rowley is very regarded in teaching circles, particularly for the model he created at Salford, however the job at Saints is a marked change.

Whereas Rowley up to now has been at golf equipment that don’t carry an excessive amount of expectation he’s now at one which calls for silverware which has eluded them since 2023. They’ve strengthened their squad and it’s time to see how he goes accountable for one in all Tremendous League’s giants.

Aspect word: I’m additionally conserving a detailed eye on Warrington Wolves and the way large it’s for Sam Burgess to have the confirmed Steve McNamara as his assistant.

One large 2026 prediction…

I feel that of the three new sides in Tremendous League this season (Bradford Bulls, Toulouse Olympique, and York Knights), it’s the French membership that can end the best.

2026 Tremendous League – key dates and what to look out for

• Opening night time: Thu Feb 12: York Knights v Hull KR, 8pm (Sky Sports activities)
• World Membership Problem: Thu Feb 19: Hull KR v Brisbane Broncos, 7:30pm (Sky Sports activities)
• Rugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28: Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos, TBC (Sky Sports activities)
• Tremendous League’s thirtieth birthday: Thu Mar 26: Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports activities)
• Rivals Spherical: April 3-April 5
• Tremendous League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports activities)
• Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
• Rivals Spherical reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Remaining: October 3, Previous Trafford.

Sky Sports activities will once more present each recreation of the Tremendous League stay this season – together with two matches in every spherical solely stay, with the remaining 5 matches every week proven on Sky Sports activities+