Super League clubs are able to talk to off-contract players and over the coming weeks and months recruitment managers will be perusing the market to gauge who might be available.
Of course, some deals have already been done for 2027, with the likes of George Williams and Harry Newman set to head down under, while clubs are already pushing to retain some of the star names in the the final year of their deals.
We’ve already taken a look at some of the wingers, centres and halves that are off-contract in 2026 and now it’s the turn of the props, with a raft of high profile middles on the list.
Here’s a look at eight of the best front-rowers in Super League whose deals expire at the end of the 2026 campaign.
The best Super League props off-contract in 2026.
Keenan Palasia (Leeds Rhinos)
Joining Leeds from Gold Coast Titans ahead of the 2025 season, Palasia caught the eye in his first year with the club. He made 28 outings in blue and amber, scored one try and split his time between loose-forward and prop.
Leeds have already tied down Cooper Jenkins and Jake Connor long-term and Palasia’s future won’t be far from being at top of their list of priorities moving forward. However, he is able to talk to other clubs now and he might not be short of potential suitors.
Chris Satae (Catalans Dragons)
Satae will be 34 by the time his Catalans contract expires at the end of the season, but he proved last season that he’s still more than a handful. He’ll fancy his chances of being able to kick on in 2026 and wrap up a new deal either in France or elsewhere in Super League and if he continues to throw his weight around with destructive effect, he could well prove to be a wanted man.
Satae is approaching his third season with Catalans after joining the club ahead of 2024. He had five seasons with Hull FC prior to that.
Liam Knight (Hull FC)
Knight has only committed to one more year at Hull and with his partner staying down under, it remains to be seen whether Knight is willing to stay on this side of the world. He’ll make a decision on that front later in the season, but that won’t stop Hull or potentially any other club from making him an offer to stick around in Super League.
He joined Hull a few games into the 2025 campaign and he really caught the eye with his performances before suffering a stress fracture in his ankle.
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Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
Trout was one of the stars of Leigh’s season last time around with his form earning him a spot in Shaun Wane’s England squad for the Ashes. The 26-year-old only made one appearance against the Kangaroos, but he’ll have his eyes on a World Cup spot next season.
Leigh should be making his future something of a priority, but as it stands he is able to talk to other clubs and you couldn’t blame them for attempting to lure him away from Leigh Sports Village.
Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
Walmsley will turn 36 in April and while he struggled to show his true colours in the Ashes, he impressed enough with Saints to earn himself a spot on that international stage. Given his age, St Helens will likely leave sorting Walmsley’s future until later in the year and how he starts the campaign might well have a big say on things.
He’s certainly still got plenty to offer at St Helens but how he feels come the second half of the season will likely be taken into account too.
Sauaso Sue (Hull KR)
The treble winners have a few high profile players off contract in 2026 and Sue is one of the biggest, both literally and figuratively. The prop is approaching his fourth year with the Robins and based off last season, it’s clear that he is still at the peak of his powers, even at the age of 33.
Rovers will surely be keen to extend Sue’s time at the club by another year at least and it would certainly not be a surprise if that was wrapped up sooner rather than later.
Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards)
The 31-year-old has already been linked with a move to NRL side South Sydney Rabbitohs, which would surely be of interest to him at this stage of his career. Leigh though would almost certainly like to keep hold of Mulhern following what was another impressive season in leopard print.
He’s been superb for the club since joining from Warrington Wolves ahead of the 2023 Super League season, making 78 appearances and helping the club win the Challenge Cup.
Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves)
Philbin has spent his entire career at Warrington to date and this season it seems as though he has something of a point to prove. The 31-year-old has worn a top 17 squad number since 2018 but in 2026 he has been handed the number 22, which might be a reflection of his place in Sam Burgess’ pecking order.
He’ll be determined to earn a spot in the side moving forward, but given his pedigree as a player, clubs might well be monitoring his situation closely.
