The 2026 Super League season is still two months away but clubs are in pre-season training as they ready themselves for the road ahead.
With the Super League salary cap being tight, it’s never been more important for clubs to produce their own talent and there are young players trying to push their way into the first-team picture at all 14 clubs.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at who might be the youngster to watch out for at every Super League side in 2026.
A youngster to watch out for at every Super League club in 2026
Bradford Bulls – Elliot Peposhi
The 21-year-old is yet to fully breakthrough at Bradford Bulls after joining the club on an initial trial ahead of the 2024 season. However, last month saw him pen a new full-time three-year deal with the club, showing how highly he is rated at Odsal.
He made four appearances for the Bulls last season, while also having spells at Batley Bulldogs and Dewsbury Rams, and he’ll be keen to kick on and test himself in the top flight.
Castleford Tigers – Alfie Lindsey
The outside back made the most of the opportunity he was handed by Chris Chester back in August, touching down for try in the defeat to Catalans Dragons. The youngster played again the next week, too, against Leigh Leopards but the Tigers were well beaten.
He’ll be looking to pick up more game time this year and test himself in training against the likes of Mikaele Ravalawa and Semi Velemei, who have arrived from down under.]
Catalans Dragons – Clement Martin
Martin was a France international before he made his Catalans debut, with an international bow coming in 2024. However, he broke into the Dragons fold last May and went on to make four appearances last season.
He scored his first try for the club in the win over Huddersfield Giants in June and while he does have competition for places in 2026, the 20-year-old will be pushing to give Joel Tomkins a selection headache.
Huddersfield Giants – Lewis Jagger
Finished a Giants attacking move in spectacular fashion on his debut at Leigh in September to announce himself to Huddersfield fans. He’ll be spending pre-season trying to catch Luke Robinson’s eye and while he does have plenty of senior experience ahead of him in the pecking order, he’s certainly one to watch out for.
Hull FC – Callum Kemp
The Kemp twins have been edging their way into the first-team picture at Hull and they’re both highly rated. Lloyd has seen action at full-back and started the last Hull derby, but Callum has seen just a little bit more success in the first-team in the halves.
The 19-year-old caught the eye in the win over Warrington Wolves, his first start of the season, and he impressed with his confidence and swagger after coming off the bench in the September derby, too.
Hull KR – Jack Charles
Charles controversially made the switch across Hull from west to east at the end of the 2025 season and with Mikey Lewis and Tyrone May ahead of him in the pecking order, it’s fair to say that opportunities might be few and far between in 2026.
However, he doesn’t lack confidence and Charles will be backing himself to learn from Rovers’ treble-winning half-back partnership and put a bit of pressure on as he strives to hone his skills and build on the experience he has already collected at FC.
Leeds Rhinos – Max Simpson
Leeds have demonstrated just how highly they rate Simpson by giving him a new three-year deal to stay at Headingley until the end of the 2029 season. The centre’s career has been blighted by serious injuries so far this season, but after three years on the sidelines, he made a return to action in August.
He ended the season with three appearances under his belt and he’ll be keen to kick on under Brad Arthur next year. Could Simpson turn out to be a natural successor to Harry Newman?
Leigh Leopards – Ryan Brown
Signed on a two-year deal from Wigan Warriors last year, Brown is still waiting to make his senior debut for the Leopards. He spent the entirety of last season on loan at Barrow Raiders, though, making 22 appearances, and that experience looks set to stand him in good stead for 2026 as he attempts to force his way into Adrian Lam’s thinking.
St Helens – Jacob Douglas
Another to have made a controversial move this off-season, Douglas has left Wigan to join rivals St Helens and while the Saints aren’t short of options on the wing, with Kyle Feldt, Deon Cross, Owen Dagnall and Lewis Murphy ahead of him in the pecking order, Douglas will fancy his chances of competing.
Douglas made six appearances for Wigan last season with a hat-trick coming in the win over Salford Red Devils.
Toulouse Olympique – Romeo Tropis
Tied down until the end of the 2027 season, Tropis is rated very highly at Toulouse with Sylvain Houles labelling him a revelation last season. He scored five tries in 12 2025 appearances and he capable of taking on the centre role for the French side.
Wakefield Trinity – Ellis Lingard
Lingard made his Super League debut against Salford last season and he marked it by scoring twice. He penned a four-year deal with Wakefield in August and he’s joined in what looks to be young but extremely talented group of outside backs by the likes of Jayden Myers and Oliver Pratt, who both made their mark on Super League last season.
Warrington Wolves – Ewan Irwin
Irwin is very highly rated at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and despite being just 17-years old, he has been given the number 18 shirt by Sam Burgess, giving an inkling of how close he is to his 17-man squad thinking.
He made three outings for the Wire last season, coming off the bench in games against St Helens and Castleford Tigers before starting in the end of season clash with Hull KR.
Wigan Warriors – Taylor Kerr
The young loose-forward will be relishing the time spent working with Sean O’Loughlin at the Wigan training ground as he hones his game and tries to put some pressure on Kaide Ellis.
He is yet to make his Wigan debut but he did have spells on loan at both London Broncos and Salford last season.
York Knights – John Sagaga
The 21-year-old has made the move from Penrith Panthers to join the Knights’ cause in 2026 and he’ll be keen to prove himself and carve out a career for himself in Super League.
Sagaga hasn’t made a first-team debut yet, but he does have 11 New South Wales Cup games under his belt in the way of experience.
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