1. Saints. I can't really make a strong case for anyone else. Much as I'd love to..

2. Wigan. Looking pretty solid and I rate Matty Peet. Based on his contribution last year, the loss of Bateman won't make a difference.

3. Hudds. The strength and depth of their squad should really see them as saints' main challengers. Watson's caution could well hold them back in the ones that matter.

4. Leeds. Rohan's reorganisation of the squad has been too great for us to be realistically considered this year, I reckon. I think I'll be rating is higher this time next year though.

5. Hull FC. TS and his magic hat will see them in the play offs. Comfortably.

6. Catalans. Some of their old weaknesses on show last year. McNamara might lift them; equally he may have taken them as far as he can.

7. Salford. Will continue to confound the odds and will hopefully continue to play some great rugby

8. Warrington. 2023 won't be. Powell might have his own squad now but I'm not convinced his coaching methods aren't stuck in the previous decade.

9. Wakey. Surviving comfortably. A game they're good at. Probably keeping a bit of their financial powder dry in case they need to spend in order to draft in a player to cover injury - or not if they don't have to.

10. Cas. Might be doing them a disservice but their signings lack wow factor for me. As do their incumbents...

11. Leigh. Could do a fair bit better than this, maybe their newbie status is what's putting a bit of doubt in my mind.

12. Hull KR. Hope I'm wrong as they're one of my favourite sides. Plus, I'll always wish Danny Mags well unless in direct competition with our lads. Think they may be in for a tough year though.

With luck with injury we could be top two. I might be wrong but a league table calculated after Rohan’s arrival puts us in the top three. Despite getting rid of lots I'm pretty sure we've recruited better. I think we can give it a real shake.

1. Saints, they are miles better than anyone else and anything other than 1st is a massive failure given the state of the competition.

2-4. In any order given injuries, Leeds, Wigan, Huddersfield.

5-7. Hull FC, Catalans, Salford. Again depends on injuries, could be in any order.

8-10. Warrington, Hull KR, Cas.

11. Leigh

12. Wakefield

1-4 Saints Leeds Wigan Huddersfield in any given order. Think 2 games for Saints in Oz combined with travelling will curtail their early season.

5 Catalan

6 Warrington

7-9 Salford Hull Cas in any order

10-12 Hull KR Leigh Wakefield in any order.

Not going to predict a league but here are my thoughts.



Saints won't finish top but will probably win the GF



Wigan will finish top but won't win the GF



Warrington will be rubbish again and Powell will get the sack



Hull FC will finish in the top 4 and have a good season



Huddersfield will not be nearly as good as people think and finish mid table



Hull KR will be hot and cold and finish around 8th



Leigh - I hope they finish last because of their arrogance on coming up, and that bloody kit and rebrand



Wakefield - will shock a few



Catalan - top 5 finish but won't be winning anything



Castleford - mid table mediocricy, squad is too old



Salford - ups and downs but not as good as last year



Leeds - rubbish start to the season but we'll be in at least one final, and might win one.

1. Saints. 7. Salford

2. Huddersfield 8. Castleford

3. Wigan 9. Warrington

4. Leeds 10. Hull FC

5. Wakefield 11. Hull KR

6. Catalans 12. Leigh



Grand Final - Saints bt Wigan

Challenge Cup - Leeds bt Wigan

Worst Wigan side I've ever seen.

Talk about arrogance? WOW!!



Leeds won't finish in the top 6, that's for sure.

I hope you're right. But as was the case with the post Smith table, an awful lot would need to go just right for it to happen - no annual injury crisis and new faces and young mergers all having good seasons.

Fair dos Cokey lad. Now how's about giving us a bit more insight. Where do you see Leigh ending up?

You've done it now, the indignant Wakefield fans will be along soon. They're all rather optimistic after beating leeds Academy in the last 10 minutes.

10th.