The 2026 Super League season is just around the corner and the excitement is starting to build as we edge towards one of the biggest Super League years to date.
However, when it comes to recruitment most clubs will already be looking ahead to 2027 and beyond as they plan out how the future looks for their respective sides. Indeed, recruitment is a 365-day business nowadays and heads of recruitment simply have to keep their finger on the pulse at all times.
As such, clubs will already know exactly who is off contract at the end of the 2026 season and some may have already started conversations.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the most high profile loose forwards currently in the last year of their contracts, with some huge names on the market for next year and beyond.
Five off-contract Super League loose-forwards
Cameron Smith
Smith is a man in the spotlight this pre-season, with the loose-forward set for a testimonial clash against Bradford Bulls later month. It comes on the back of what has been a difficult 12 months for the 27-year-old, who struggled with injuries last year.
He is expected to be fit enough to take on the Bulls and given the day is about him, he’ll likely do so as captain. But, Brad Arthur has made the decision to take the co-captaincy off him for 2026 and he’s lost the number 13 shirt, too, which provides plenty of questions about what role he has to play in 2026.
He’s off-contract as well and that only adds to what he has to play for this year as strives to extend his stay at Headingley.
Ben Currie
Currie is in the last year of his deal at Warrington, where he has spent his entire professional career and made more than 300 appearances.
Despite winning just one Challenge Cup in that time, the impact he has made at the Halliwell Jones Stadium cannot be questioned and he’s a real fans’ favourite because of that.
However, this is a big year for Warrington, with the head coach and a raft of senior players entering the last years of their respective contracts. And, after their struggles in 2025, a rebuild cannot be ruled out with several big hitters leaving and fresh blood coming in.
Currie has been a consistent performer, but the club might just wait to see how he starts the season before committing to a new deal.
Joe Westerman
Westerman will be 37 by the time his contract comes to an end this year and at that age, retirement has to be a possibility. However, he has demonstrated that he can still perform at a high level and he’ll be going into this season with Castleford Tigers with a determination to impress after a difficult few years for the club.
What role he’ll have to play remains to be seen, but the former England international will be focused on trying to make an impact under Ryan Carr before thinking about his next step.
Isaac Liu
Liu has to go down as one of the best signings of 2025 with the loose-forward ensuring Leigh Leopards’ loss of John Asiata was not felt in the slightest. However, the two-year deal he signed with Leigh comes to an end this year and at the age of 34, his next steps remain unknown.
Given the impact he made last season, though, it’s fair to assume that Leigh will be keen to tie him down and secure his services for at least one more year.
Joe Shorrocks
Shorrocks has joined St Helens on a one-year deal after leaving Salford Red Devils and it’s fair to say he faces stiff competition for places.
The challenge for him will be to put his best foot forward, force his way into the picture and play a key role for the Saints. If he can do that his future will likely take care of itself whether that’s with St Helens or elsewhere.
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