The Betfred Super League season launches again this week with 12 clubs bidding for success.
Mirror Sport columnist Jamie Peacock looks at each team's prospects, the key figures involved and young players to look out for before giving his predictions for the three main titles in 2022.
Here's his take on what is, once again, expected to be a fantastic season...
CASTLEFORD TIGERS
JP SAYS: Great to see Lee Radford back in the game and it’s going to be interesting to see the next version of Cas after Daryl Powell. I think they’ll be mid table and challenge for a play-off spot.
KEY MAN: Jake Trueman - if Radford can get the best out of him the Tigers can fire.
YOUNG GUN: Alex Sutcliffe - Old school hard-hitting forward, will be good to see how he progresses.
LAST YEAR: 7th
BETFRED ODDS: 22/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS : 6th
CATALANS DRAGONS
JP SAYS: Made last year’s Grand Final and have made some quality signings in Mitchell Pearce, Dylan Napa and Tyrone May. Mixing quality young French players with NRL stars is a formula that’s working for Steve McNamara.
KEY MAN: Mitchell Pearce - If they’re going to win the Grand Final this time Aussie is key.
YOUNG GUN: Matthieu Laguerre - Saw flashes of brilliance from him in 2021, more to come.
LAST YEAR: 1st, beaten Grand Finalists
BETFRED ODDS: 6/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 2nd
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS
JP SAYS: Ian Watson’s second season and he’s now got the key players he wants in his spine positions of six, seven, nine and one. Another team that will be challenging for one of the bottom play-off spots.
KEY MAN: Tui Lolohea - At his best he will win the Giants games, he needs that to be more often than not.
YOUNG GUN: Will Pryce - Burst onto the scene last year, exciting to watch and possible World Cup bolter.
LAST YEAR: 9th
BETFRED ODDS: 28/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 9th
HULL FC
JP SAYS: Lost the city bragging rights to Hull KR last year and a team with high exception and some work to do. Should be fighting for fifth and sixth spots but can’t see them finishing any higher.
KEY MAN: Luke Gale - Coming from Leeds with a point to prove and will be keen to deliver.
YOUNG GUN: Ben McNamara - Great rugby league pedigree and will be looking to build on a promising 2021.
LAST YEAR: 8th
BETFRED ODDS: 22/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 8th
HULL KINGSTON ROVERS
JP SAYS: Outstanding in making the play-offs last year, they have a smart coach in Tony Smith and will always be difficult to beat at home. Tough ask to push higher this season but that’s what they’ll be aiming for.
KEY MAN: Lachlan Coote - Adds class and experience after joining from St Helens and will demand high standards.
YOUNG GUN: Mikey Lewis - Great, spiky half-back who was terrific last season, will be looking to kick on.
LAST YEAR: 6th
BETFRED ODDS: 35/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 7th
LEEDS RHINOS
JP SAYS: Made four high quality signings, have a handful of players in the England squad and young players pushing through again now. They will expect to challenge for the top three and silverware.
KEY MAN: Aidan Sezer - Major signing from Huddersfield who should relish the opportunity to shine at a big club.
YOUNG GUN: Morgan Gannon is another with top rugby league pedigree and will look to build on a stand-out debut season.
LAST YEAR: 5th
BETFRED ODDS: 8/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 3rd
SALFORD RED DEVILS
JP SAYS: Have undergone an overhaul with new signings and coach in Paul Rowley, and their main aim will be to steer clear of relegation. Have some good forwards to help two new half-backs but will be in the bottom half.
KEY MAN: Brodie Croft - Comes over from Australia and will be hoping to deliver like Jackson Hastings did.
YOUNG GUN: Amir Bourouh showed potential at Wigan and now has a chance to play more regularly.
LAST YEAR: 11th
BETFRED ODDS: 100/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 10th
ST HELENS
JP SAYS: Been the best side for three seasons now, have made three top signings from the NRL in Will Hopoate, Joey Lussick and Curtis Sironen, and are the competition benchmark. But will they have the desire to continue to dominate?
KEY MAN: Jonny Lomax - One of the top two British half-backs in the game and potential Man of Steel.
YOUNG GUN: Jake Wingfield - Saints always produce top homegrown stars and he could be the next.
LAST YEAR: 2nd, Grand Final winners
BETFRED ODDS: 9/4
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 1st
TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE
JP SAYS: Great to see them in Super League after long-term building but losing key man Jonathon Ford is a blow. Any place above the relegation spit is a success for them - they need to make a fortress of their home ground.
KEY MAN: Tony Gigot - Can be brilliant but erratic, needs more good days than bad if they are to survive.
YOUNG GUN: Justin Sangaré - Young, powerful forward who will be keen to make an impact on Super League
LAST YEAR: Promoted from Championship
BETFRED ODDS: 200/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 12th
WAKEFIELD TRINITY
JP SAYS: Please to see Willie Poching handed the coaching reins after a great run of results at the end of last season. Will be in the bottom half again, and need to be difficult to beat at home to avoid any relegation talk.
KEY MAN: Jacob Miller - When he plays well, especially at home, Wakefield win more often than not.
YOUNG GUN: Corey Hall - Arrives from Leeds with a chance to shine, he has great athletic ability.
LAST YEAR: 10th
BETFRED ODDS: 80/1
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 11th
WARRINGTON WOLVES
JP SAYS: Have got the right man in Daryl Powell to finally end their title drought, but this season might be one too soon as he gets the squad he wants together. He’s an exceptional coach and they should be challenging for silverware this time.
KEY MAN: George Williams - Love watching him and Powell has a history of getting the best out of half-backs.
YOUNG GUN: Josh Thewlis - Exciting young outside back with bags of pace and an eye for the tryline.
LAST YEAR: 3rd
BETFRED ODDS: 9/2
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 4th
WIGAN WARRIORS
JP SAYS: A new coach in Matt Peet, who will be hoping for more luck with injuries after Bevan French and Jai Field missed much of 2021. If they can keep their key men on the field then they can challenge for trophies.
KEY MAN: Bevan French - Has the pace and ability to make the ridiculously hard look completely easy.
YOUNG GUN: Kai Pearce-Paul - Outstanding first season and will be looking to improve again in 2022.
LAST YEAR: 4th
BETFRED ODDS: 13/2
MIRROR SPORT PREDICTS: 5th
JAMIE PEACOCK’S 2022 PREDICTIONS
Betfred Challenge Cup winners: Catalans Dragons
League Leaders’ Shield: St Helens
Betfred Grand Final winners: Leeds Rhinos
BETFRED - PASSIONATE ABOUT SUPER LEAGUE
