YOUR CLUB-BY-CLUB GUIDE
Who's hot and who's not in the countdown to the new season
HERE'S your ultimate guide to the new Super League season, with full details of all the new signings.
The League, which has expanded from 12 to 14 teams, has a new play-off system which sees the highest-ranked winning team from round one select their own semi-final opponents.
The top eight clubs will make the play-offs, with the first-placed club taking on the fourth-placed team, the second facing the third, fifth meeting eighth and sixth playing seventh. Matches involving the four highest-placed teams will see the winners advance to the semis in week three.
The losers have another chance as they meet the winners of the other two play-offs in week two.
Once the four semi-finalists are known, the club with the highest league ranking that won in week one chooses who they want to play from the teams that qualified in week two.
BRADFORD BULLS
Prospects: Bradford hope the focus on Aussie international stand-off Greg Bird - charged over an alleged assault on his girlfriend Katie Milligan - won't overshadow their bid to unhinge Leeds and St Helens. If he fires on all cylinders, Bird and the power of back rower Steve Menzies should turn close games the Bulls' way.
Key man: Steve Menzies, second row.
Coach: Steve McNamara.
Ins: Greg Bird, Michael Worrincy, Nick Scruton, Rikki Sheriffe, Steve Menzies.
Outs: Chris Feather, Iestyn Harris, James Evans, Joe Vagana, Shontayne Hape, Simon Finnigan.
Regular season odds: 9-1
2008: 5th
CASTLEFORD TIGERS
Prospects: Ten signings, including dummy half specialist Ryan Hudson, who will lead from the front and provide great support for Ryan McGoldrick. The Tigers will surely leg it at least three notches up the table and, with a new stadium in prospect, all looks rosy at The Jungle after taking a pounding last year.
Key man: Ryan McGoldrick, centre.
Coach: Terry Matterson.
Ins: Brett Ferres, Chris Feather, Dean Widders, James Evans, James Ford, Kirk Netherton, Rangi Chase, Ryan Hudson, Sione Faumuina, Stuart Jones.
Outs: Adam Fletcher, Andrew Henderson, Anthony Thackeray, Awen Guttenbeil, Brendon Hlad, Luke Dorn, Mark Leafa, Micheal Korkidas, Ned Catic, Peter Lupton, Scott Moore, Stuart Donlan.
Odds: 200-1
2008: 12th
CATALANS DRAGONS
Prospects: All down to Kevin Walters. Can he take on where Mick Potter left off with so many new faces on board? Phenomenal task ahead after the results of last season, especially as clambering on a plane every other week is so demanding. Looks like French resistance will surely be on the retreat in the coming months.
Key man: Clint Greenshields, full back.
Coach: Kevin Walters
Ins: Jason Ryles, Mathias Pala, Michael Tribillac, Roman Mencarini, Shane Perry, Steve Bell, William Barthau.
Outs: Aaron Gorrell, Alex Chan, John Wilson, Justin Murphy, Matthieu Griffi, Younes Khattabi.
Odds: 20-1.
2008: 3rd
CELTIC CRUSADERS
Prospects: Super League new boys Celtic Crusaders face defending champions Leeds on Friday, having struggled to get their Aussie signings into the country and having had no warm-up games because of postponements. Big hammerings in store for the Welsh team along what looks certain to be a very painful learning curve.
Key man: Lincoln Withers, half back.
Coach: John Dixon.
Ins: Adam Peek, Jason Chan, Lincoln Withers, Matty Smith, Mark Bryant, Marshall Chalk, Peter Lupton, Ryan O'Hara, Ste Tyrer.
Outs: Aaron Summers, Gareth Dean, Ian Webster, Jamie I'Anson, Paul Ballard, Phillippe Gardent, Neale Wyatt
Odds: 250-1
2008: N/A
HARLEQUINS
Prospects: Stand-off Luke Dorn grabbed 19 tries for the newly-promoted Castleford last season and holds the key to Quins' play-off hopes. Elsewhere, the other new arrivals must help offset the loss of veterans Scott Hill and Henry Paul or they'll find the only way is down. Need to attract bigger fan base to rally team.
Key man: Luke Dorn, stand-off.
Coach: Brian McDermott.
Ins: Ben Kaye, Chad Robinson, Jason Golden, Luke Dorn, Luke Gale, Luke Williamson, Mat Gardner, Mick Nanyn.
Outs: Dave Toothill, Dwayne Barker, Henry Paul, Joe Walsh, Julien Rinaldi, Lamont Bryan, Mark Mclinden, Michael Worrincy, Rikki Sheriffe, Scott Hill.
Odds: 66-1
2008: 9th
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS
Prospects: All change for Huddersfield who hope Kevin Brown can show he is be the answer to the Giants' problem stand-off spot after they failed to land Aussies Todd Carney and Nathan Fien as a replacement for the departed Chris Thorman. Sure to improve on last season if new signings click.
Key man: Michael Korkidas, prop
Coach: Nathan Brown.
Ins: Brett Hodgson, Gregg McNally, Joe Walsh, Josh Griffin, Keale Carlise, Michael Korkidas, Scott Moore, Simon Finnigan, Sean Lunt.
Outs: Chris Thorman, John Skandalis, Shane Elford, Steve Snitch, Stuart Jones, Ryan Hudson.
Odds: 25-1
2008: 10th
HULL FC
Prospects: Last season's Challenge Cup finalists have made two great signings in utility half back and goal kicker Chris Thorman plus winger Mark Calderwood, who should make up for the loss of injured Gareth Raynor. Expect Hull FC to give it a real go, be a surprise package and challenge for the top six.
Key man: Chris Thorman, stand-off
Coach: Richard Agar.
Ins: Chris Thorman, Dominic Maloney, Mark Calderwood, Michael Crocker, Sam Moa.
Outs: Adam Dykes, Gareth Carvell, James Webster, Matt Sing, Matty Dale, Scott Wheeldon.
Odds: 16-1.
2008: 11th
HULL KR
Prospects: Coach Jason Morgan is over-optimistic in insisting that Rovers can win the title amid reports of financial woes, the departures of chief executive Paul Blanchard and assistant coach Lee Crooks, cancellation of an overseas training camp, problems with new kit and their plea for an advance on television revenue.
Key man: Nick Fozzard, prop
Coach: Jason Morgan.
Ins: Liam Colbon, Nick Fozzard, Ryan Esders, Scott Wheeldon.
Outs: Chris Chester, Garret Crossman, James Webster, Jon Steel, Kirk Netherton.
Odds: 40-1
2008: 7th
LEEDS RHINOS
Prospects: The Grand Final winners have Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones Buchanan, Gareth Ellis, Rob Burrow, Keith Senior and Danny Maguire still smarting from England's World Cup failure - plus ace Aussie hooker Danny Buderus. Always ones for the big occasion and surely bound for Old Trafford again.
Key man: Lee Smith, winger
Coach: Brian McClennan.
Ins: Danny Buderus, Greg Eastwood, Luke Ambler.
Outs: Ben Kaye, Clinton Toopi, Danny Williams, Gareth Ellis, Jordan Tansey, Michael Haley, Nick Scruton.
Odds: 7-4
2008: 2nd
ST HELENS
Prospects: Just one signing says it all - supreme confidence from within the Challenge Cup holders' camp and Tony Puletua can only beef up an already awesome pack. Play the sweetest rugby of anyone and simply brilliant on the counter attack, so new boss Mick Potter can rest easy after leaving Catalans Dragons.
Key man: James Graham, prop
Coach: Mick Potter.
Ins: Tony Puletua.
Outs: Mike Bennett, Nick Fozzard, Paul Sculthorpe, Sam Thompson, Willie Talau.
Odds: 7-4
2008: 1st
SALFORD CITY REDS
Prospects: The promoted Reds desperately need to regroup big time after stripping hooker Malcolm Alker of the captaincy following a 'number of minor incidents' on their pre-season trip to Florida when a number of players breached club discipline. Tough adjustment to the big-time in store but will steal the odd surprise.
Key man: Willie Talau, centre
Coach: Shaun McRae.
Ins: Dean McGilvery, Jeremy Smith, Luke Swain, Mark Henry, Ray Cashmere, Rob Parker, Willie Talau
Outs: Andrew Brocklehurst, Andy Ballard, Chris Borgese, Leon Walker, Luke Ambler, Matt Gardner, Paul Highton, Stephan Bannister.
Odds: 200-1
2008: 1st (National League 1)
WAKEFIELD WILDCATS
Prospects: Must overcome expected slow start with Danny Brough, Tevita Leo-Latu, Matt Peterson, Danny Sculthorpe and Ryan Atkins injured at least for opening matches with Wigan and Leeds. That's bad news - always tough playing catch-up at this level. So all eyes on star stand-off Jamie Rooney to bridge a considerable gap.
Key man: Danny Brough, scrum half
Coach: John Kear.
Ins: James Stosic, Steve Snitch.
Outs: Brett Ferres, Duncan MacGilivray, Jason Golden, Joe Hirst, Josh Griffin, Kyle Wood, Paul Reilly.
Odds: 100-1
2008: 8th
WARRINGTON WOLVES
Prospects: Rely on England international Higham letting Wigan know they were wrong to let him go -and he needs to. The Wolves are perennial under performers but they've done well to hang on to centre Martin Gleeson under pressure from Australian clubs and fans can expect at least another play-off spot.
Key man: Mickey Higham, hooker.
Coach: James Lowes.
Ins: Garreth Carvell, Mickey Higham.
Outs: Andy Bracek, Mark Gleeson, Rob Parker.
Odds: 10-1
2008: 6th
WIGAN WARRIORS
Prospects: Wigan have won just one piece of silverware, the 2002 Challenge Cup, in 10 years. Finished 14 points behind St Helens last time and won't bridge the gap in 2009. But in hooker new Mark Riddell and centre George Carmont they ooze quality and leadership, so last season's green shoots of recovery should continue.
Key man: George Carmont, hooker.
Coach: Brian Noble.
Ins: Mark Riddell.
Outs: Liam Colbon, Mark Calderwood, Mickey Higham, Trent Barrett.
Odds: 9-1
2008: 4th
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