2025 was a curious year for the Dragons. The club parted ways with head coach Steve McNamara several weeks before formally announcing the decision, with Joel Tomkins stepping into the role on an interim basis. It was a season that never truly gained momentum, despite the occasional promising performance. Historically, travelling to the south of France has always been a tough assignment. A blend of French flair and a fiercely partisan atmosphere has often made returning to England with two competition points a difficult task, and any victory there is very much earned. Last season, however, something never quite clicked for the Dragons. Whether that was down to the disruption caused by a mid-season coaching change or deeper underlying issues remains open to debate, particularly with several established players moving on.

The 2025 season was undoubtedly one to forget for Castleford Tigers. Any early optimism quickly faded following a shock Challenge Cup defeat to the Bulls, and performances deteriorated further as the year progressed. It was not until the final 15 minutes of the season that the Tigers showed any real signs of free-flowing rugby.

With the 2026 Super League season just over a month away, we take a look at how we expect the final league table to shape up.

Bradford Bulls sent shockwaves through rugby league in October 2025 when it was confirmed they would replace Salford Red Devils in Super League following the IMG grading process. The announcement triggered widespread debate, with many journalists and supporters questioning whether the Bulls’ promotion was justified.

In a Word, Yes — but Not Just Yet