Super League 2026 – Round 1 preview, predictions and tips

Oh, rugby league how I’ve missed you! It’s been a long three months of waiting and being forced to watch football to keep me occupied during the cold winter months, but thankfully we can get back to the good stuff now, starting with an intriguing clash on Thursday night…

*All odds are taken from Paddy Power and correct at time of writing on XXth XXXX 2026.

Thursday 12th February – York Knights vs Hull KR – LNER Community Stadium

Form guide

With this being Round One, there’s not much to go on apart from each side’s Challenge Cup results at the weekend.

The newly-promoted Knights comfortably saw off Barrow Raiders 32-6. As for Hull KR, they warmed up for this match in style, with a club-record win. (104-0 over Lock Lane.)

Team news

York have named an unchanged squad from their Challenge Cup victory for this first ever game in Super League. Xavier Va’a and Paul Vaughan are among the players making their league debuts for the club in this one.

Hull KR are missing new signing Tom Amone, but Karl Lawton should make his Super League debut after arriving from the NRL.

My prediction – York Knights 6-42 Hull KR

I can see the treble winners putting on a show here ahead of their World Club Challenge with Brisbane Broncos next week. The Knights’ best hope is that Rovers have one eye on that match already, but I don’t expect that to be the case.

Betting tips

Hull KR are 10/11 with a -22 handicap, which looks a solid shout to me. Try scoring markets aren’t open yet, but I’ll be getting on Joe Burgess for an anytime score when they are.

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Friday 13th February – Catalans Dragons vs Huddersfield Giants – Stade Gilbert Brutus

Form guide

The Dragons coasted past Batley, 56-4, in the Challenge Cup weekend.

It was a similar story for the Giants at Hunslet, as they picked up a 52-6 victory to ease into Round 4.

My prediction – Catalans Dragons 24-12 Huddersfield Giants

Both of these sides need a good start to the year after poor campaigns in 2025. Catalans look stronger to me on paper though, and they’ve got home advantage.

Betting tips

I’m tipping the Dragons to win by 8-14 points, at 10/3. When the try scoring markets open, I’ll be getting on Tommy Makinson for an anytime score too, after his double last weekend.

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Friday 13th February – Warrington Wolves vs St Helens – Halliwell Jones Stadium

Form guide

Warrington were 34-6 winners over Sheffield Eagles in Round 3 of the Challenge Cup.

Meanwhile, Saints posted a huge 98-2 victory over Workington Town.

My prediction – Warrington Wolves 12-20 St Helens

On paper this should be the match of the round, and there’ll be pressure on the Wire to put in a performance after a disappointing 2025. I’m backing the Saints to edge this one though. They should be more of a threat this season and they’ll want to lay down an early marker.

Betting tips

Warrington are favourites in this one, so I’m jumping straight on a St Helens victory at 11/10. I’m backing Jackson Hastings for an anytime try on his Super League return as well.

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Friday 13th February – Leigh Leopards vs Leeds Rhinos- Leigh Sports Village

Form guide

Leigh cruised past North Wales Crusaders in the Challenge Cup, with a 60-6 victory.

Leeds, meanwhile, had a closer contest, but eventually saw off Widnes 25-12 to progress to Round 4.

My prediction – Leigh Leopards 14-18 Leeds Rhinos

If Wire vs Saints is the match of the round, this is a close 2nd, and it’s a shame they’re on at the same time. This one feels like the toss of a coin to me, but I’m backing the Rhinos to have a big year in 2026, so they’ll need to start with a win.

Betting tips

Leigh start as favourites, which isn’t a huge surprise. That means I’m getting straight on Leeds to win, at 11/10. It should be a close game, so I like the look of a 1-7 winning margin at 4/1, as well.

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Saturday 14th February – Hull FC vs Bradford Bulls – MKM Stadium

Form guide

Hull FC were 60-0 winners at Salford in their Challenge Cup 3rd round tie.

Newly-promoted Bradford had a harder tie at London Broncos, but eventually saw them off in a 26-8 win.

My prediction – Hull FC 36-10 Bradford Bulls

I’m expecting a routine home win for the Black and Whites in this one. The Bulls could take a while to get up to speed in Super League after a long absence, and FC have pretty lofty ambitions this year.

Betting tips

Hull FC should be safe with a -20 handicap at 10/11. I’ll be getting on Harvey Barron for an anytime try as well when the market opens.

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Saturday 14th February – Wakefield Trinity vs Toulouse Olympique – DIY Kitchens Stadium

Form guide

Wakefield demolished Swinton, 82-6, in their Challenge Cup tie at the weekend.

Toulouse haven’t entered the cup this year, so their most recent outing was a 36-18 loss to Catalans Dragons in a friendly match at thye start of the month.

My prediction – Wakefield Trinity 28-6 Toulouse Olympique

This is another one of those matches where the home side will be looking for a strong start against what looks like a weaker team. Toulouse will have much more winnable games than this, but I can’t see them getting anything here.

Betting tips

Wakefield should be ok with a -20 handicap at 10/11. I’m backing Tyson Smoothy for a debut try in Super League too, when the anytime market opens.

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Sunday 15th February – Castleford Tigers vs Wigan Warriors- OneBore Stadium

Form guide

Castleford edged past Doncaster in a 14-0 win in last weekend’s Challenge Cup tie.

Wigan made far lighter work of Rochdale, who they beat 83-0.

My prediction – Castleford Tigers 12-26 Wigan Warriors

Wigan will expect a top two finish this year, which means they’ll expect to win games like this. The Tigers should be better than in 2025, but I can’t see them winning here.

Betting tips

Wigan with a a -18 handicap looks a little risky to me, so I’ll be going into the try scoring markets when they open. Zach Eckersley and Liam Marshall will be my go-tos for an anytime score.

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