Where will every Super League club strengthen?
The Super League season feels as though it has only just finished but it won’t be long before pre-season campaigns are getting underway once more. While some clubs will be content when it comes to recruitment, others will be keen to make a few late signings over the coming months to bolster their squad.
With that in mind, we take a look at where every club could look to strengthen ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Catalans: Half-back
The Dragons have plenty of work to do, it would seem.
Football manager Joe Chan revealed earlier this week the club would be looking for a prop and an outside back, but a half-back is undoubtedly the priority
Mitchell Pearce seems to be the man they’re going after to replace James Maloney according to reports down under and he fits the bill.
Castleford: Back-row
The Tigers seem to be done when it comes to recruitment and finding the cap space required for a new signing would be difficult.
Their squad looks reasonably well-rounded, but if they were to make changes and look to bring another player in, it might well be in the back-row.
Castleford saw Jesse Sene-lefao, Oliver Holmes and Alex Foster leave at the end of the year, while Kenny Edwards is the only specialist backrower to arrive, with Alex Sutcliffe able to play there despite spending most of his career at centre.
While he probably won’t be concerned, it seems Lee Radford could be a second-rower light.
Huddersfield: Wing
The Giants have recruited well, strengthening their spine with additions in the halves and at hooker. However, they haven’t replaced Darnell Mcintosh just yet, leaving them short of options out wide.
They have Jermaine Mcgillvary and the Senior brothers, but wing options are limited beyond that.
Hull FC: Front-row
The Black and Whites have been looking for a front-rower and with pre-season approaching they are understood to be closing in on their man.
They found themselves extremely short through the middle at times last season and Brett Hodgson has spoken regularly about his desire to add to his pack numbers.
Hull KR: Outside-back
The Robins have packed out their squad with a number of new faces, but they haven’t brought in a like for like replacement for Greg Minikin, who is joining Warrington.
They have Ryan Hall, Ben Crooks, Sam Wood and Ethan Ryan, who can all play on the wing meaning the need for a replacement is hardly pressing, but the talent of Minikin in those areas may well be missed.
Leeds: Front-row
The Rhinos have brought in men to play in the back-row, halves and on the wing to give their squad a fresh feel. However, they still haven’t replaced King Vuniyayawa, who has joined Salford Red Devils.
They’re not short of talent in the front-row, but in terms of numbers a new prop would probably be beneficial.
Salford: Halfback
With Kevin Brown, Ata Hingano and Tui Lolohea leaving, Salford entered the off-season knowing they needed a half-back.
They’ve signed Brodie Croft from Brisbane Broncos, but they could still be on the lookout for another.
The Red Devils have signed Ryan Brierley, but he’s expected to play at full-back.
St Helens: Front-row
Saints have replaced most of the players they have seen leave and aren’t expected to do much more business. However, thinking longterm, a middle might be on their list.
In Alex Walmsley, Matty Lees, Agnatius Paasi, Kyle Amor and Louie Mccarthy-scarsbrook they have an impressive front-row roster.
However, at 34 and 35, Amor and Mccarthy-scarsbrook are in the twilight of their careers and while they are still performing to a high standard, they aren’t expected to be able to play all 27 rounds next season, meaning depth could be necessary.
Toulouse: Forwards
The French side need to recruit all over the field to make sure they’re ready to compete.
However, ensuring they have a pack that can hold its own is absolutely vital and they’re set to make more signings in the coming weeks and months.
Wakefield: A Middle
Replacing Joe Westerman is a thankless task. The loose-forward was a huge presence over the first half of the season, but he’s on his way to Castleford.
He leaves a hole Wakefield haven’t filled and in truth, they could probably do with an addition in the front-row for depth.
Sadiq Adebiyi replaces Chris Green, but another prop would allow Willie Poching to be comfortable with his options.
Warrington: Wing
Warrington will be pleased with their business, with the likes of Oliver Holmes and Peter Mata’utia, who shone so brightly for Castleford on their way to the Halliwell Jones. They’ve signed Minikin, too, but the knee injury he picked up in September means he will miss a large chunk of the 2022 campaign. As such, the Wolves could find themselves a little short of options in wide areas.
Wigan: Outside-back
The Warriors have ensured they have plenty of forward options with the signings of Patrick Mago and Kaide Ellis, but despite signing Abbas Miski, they still find themselves light in the backs.
They were arguably short of options last season in the outside backs and those quality options have only decreased with the departures of Oliver Gildart and Dom Manfredi.
Chris Hankinson has returned from his loan at London Broncos, while Ian Thornley will return to provide some cover.
But, Wigan are seemingly still without the type of star outside back that most of their direct rivals boast.