The start of the new Super League season is now just two months away and clubs are deep into their pre-season schedules.
Fitness is the name of the game during this part of the year but there’ll be plenty of players trying to catch the eye of their head coach over the coming weeks as the competitive action nears.
With that in mind, here’s a look at seven Super League players with something to prove in 2026.
Tristan Sailor
It’s strange to say given he touched down for 15 tries and assisted 25 more, but Tristan Sailor’s first season in Super League probably didn’t go to plan. The Australian started the year at stand-off but played on the wing, full-back and even hooker over the course of the season as he struggled to find a natural fit within the tam.
Of the above stats six tries and 10 assists came against Salford Red Devils while another four efforts came against Huddersfield Giants who finished third from bottom. As such, there are huge question marks about Sailor’s impact in the big games and he goes into the 2026 season with some doubting whether he will even be in Paul Rowley’s starting XIII.
He’ll be determined to set the record straight in 2026 then and the addition of Rowley as head coach might just give him the creative license he needs to thrive.
Sam Wood
Wood left Castleford Tigers before the end of his contract in the off-season, joining York Knights for 2026. The move came on the back of a campaign in which he struggled for form and he was made available by the Tigers as a result.
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As such, the centre should be approaching this season with a determination and desire to show Castleford that they were wrong to let him go, while also demonstrating that he still has what it takes to compete in the top division.
Tyler Dupree
Dupree joined Toulouse Olympique on a season long loan last month in a deal that caught many off guard. The prop made 24 appearances for the Cherry and Whites last time around and while his form was up and down, he will have been looking at this season as an opportunity to bounce back and show Matt Peet that he can make an impact in his side consistently.
With his contract expiring at the end of 2026, it’s fair to say Dupree’s days as a Wigan player look numbered now. As such, while he will be keen to impress enough to earn a new deal somewhere, he’ll be motivated and energised to show Wigan the mistake they’ve made in allowing him to leave.
Lewis Dodd
Dodd really should be returning to Super League with the bit between his teeth after what can only be described as a nightmare 12 months in the NRL. He was written off from the start, it felt like, and ultimately, he was never given the chance to build consistency and show his true self in the competition down under.
A move to Catalans Dragons gives him the opportunity to get some form and minutes under his belt. And, after what must have been a testing period mentally, he could do with a good spell in France to remind himself of what he’s capable of.
Ryan Sutton
Speaking to the Australian press earlier in the off-season, Sutton outlined his desire to stay in the NRL despite struggling with injuries for the last few years. Those injuries saw Canterbury Bulldogs cut his contract short, while he failed to make a single outing for Gold Coast Titans over the second half of 2025.
The move to Bradford Bulls gives him the platform he needs to perform on though and he’ll be motivated to show that he is still capable of stringing games together and performing at a high level. If he can stay fit and find traction in Super League, he could turn out to be one of the signings of the year.
Tom Burgess
Like Sailor, Burgess was one of Super League’s high profile imports going into the new season and Huddersfield Giants made a big commitment to get him over from the NRL. However, it’s fair to say the former England international flattered to deceive in his first year with the club with his impact being limited.
The spotlight will be on him then as he approaches his second season with the Giants and the 33-year-old will know the pressure will be on him to find his fitness and perform.
Bailey Hodgson
Simply put, Hodgson was sensational for Leigh Leopards when he got the opportunity to perform. He had to wait for his opportunity with David Armstrong being the clear first choice for the full-back spot at Leigh Sports Village, but the Englishman more than took his chance to perform when he was given the nod.
What happens this season, though, will be intriguing. Armstrong can be expected to remain Lam’s go to number one when he returns to full fitness but it will be up to Hodgson to make that decision as hard as possible with his performances early doors.
Pecking orders can be changed and Hodgson will be pushing with all his might to give Lam some food for thought.
