It’s been a short while since rugby league has been played so We have decided to put our necks on the line and predict 10 things that are bold to predict and will probably get you shouted at if you spoke about them with friends.

1. York will finish bottom with Zero PointsEmbed from Getty Images

The many years that York have been waiting for this moment to play in the Top Flight will have felt so long but not as long as this season will feel as they will not feel the rush of victory in 2026.

2. Sam Burgess to be Sacked this season

Sam Burgess reportedly already has one eye on the NRL but a poor start to the 2026 campaign could get his dream of going back down under to come true. Warrington need a good start and if they don’t get that, they could look elsewhere in the coaching department.

3. Wigan Warriors to finish outside the Top 4

After every side has released their 2026 squad lists, it was clear to see that Wigan’s squad looks relatively weaker than last year and if they get any injuries in the pack, they could struggle enough to drop out the top four for the first time since 2017.

4. Toulouse to go unbeaten against Catalans this seasonEmbed from Getty Images

Toulouse made it to the top flight of European Rugby League once before and failed to pick up any momentum as they went straight back down the season after. This season they will be wanting to fight for more points and prove they deserve to be here and that will leave a statement if they end the 2026 season with a unbeaten streak on their French counterpart.

5. St Helens to win the Challenge Cup

St Helens need a solid season to compete with the rest of the pack and with Paul Rowley taking the helm, the Saints can shock everyone and show that with the right coach and the right way to play, you should never write off the Saints.

6. Bradford to finish in the top 6

For the first time in 12 years, Bradford will have a Super League presence and it will be a long time until they drop out again. The magical rebuild has taken advantage of the downfall of Salford but this will not prove to be the downfall of the Bulls. Bradford will compete from minute one and by the end of the 27 games, they will be in the playoff fight.

7. Arthur Mourgue to be nominated for Man Of SteelEmbed from Getty Images

Hull KR won everything there is to win last season and many players were crucial to that record breaking season for the Robins. One of the players came in partway through the season and changed the way KR could attack and that was Arthur Mourgue. That won’t stop in 2026 and the Frenchman will do enough to gain an invite to the Rugby League Awards at the end of the season but he will fall short.

8. Jack Welsby to win Lance Todd and Man of Steel

As I said in the last point, Arthur Mourgue won’t win Man of Steel but another full back will. Jack Welsby has been nominated for this award before and has fallen short. Last season, i predicted that he would win it back in May and then he got hit with injuries and poor form when he was on the field. After the Ashes to forget for Welsby, he will be looking to fight back with a Man of the Match performance in the Challenge Cup Final and solid showings all season to become the first Saints player to be Man of Steel since Ben Barba in 2018.

9. Leigh to win the League Leaders’ Shield and make their first Super League Grand Final

You might have noticed I’ve spoken about Hull KR, Wigan and St Helens and not mentioned the League Leader’s Shield. That is because I think this is Leigh’s turn to lift the trophy that gets overlooked in the European competition. Leigh have a solid squad and a brilliant attacking plan. This could be the year of the Leopard but a certain team will get their revenge at Old Trafford.

10. Hull KR to beat Leigh at Old Trafford in Golden Point

Let me take you back to 12th of August 2023. Wembley Stadium. Hull KR vs Leigh Leopards. Challenge Cup Final. Golden Point. Lachlan Lam. Drop Goal. The rest is history and I think the turns will table in October 2026 as Hull KR pick up their second Super League trophy in succession, taking revenge on the second team that started this villain arc of the Robins. They got revenge on the Warriors in 2025 and will get revenge on Leigh on Super League’s biggest stage.