#1 Leigh Centurions (=)
Super League’s newest side remain firmly at the top of the TotalRL Power Rankings for yet another week after their fifth consecutive victory in the Qualifiers. They saw off Huddersfield Giants on Saturday, largely thanks to an inspired first half performance which saw them lead 42-10 at the break. Can they make it six from six in front of a packed Leigh Sports Village on Saturday against Batley?
#2 Warrington Wolves (=)
The Super League leaders now know victory on Friday night against Wigan will hand them the League Leader’s Shield: not a bad way to bounce back from Challenge Cup final heartache. Tony Smith’s men were winners last weekend against Widnes to put themselves within touching distance of sealing top spot ahead of the play-offs – and this without a number of big names, too.
#3 Leeds Rhinos (=)
The leaders of the Qualifiers could yet be set for a thrilling winner-takes-all battle against Leigh Centurions in the final round of the Qualifiers, and like Leigh, they moved to five wins from five in the middle eight with victory over the weekend. The Rhinos were far from their best against Batley, but it keeps their impressive unbeaten run going.
#4 St Helens (+1)
The Saints climb a place this week, courtesy of another character-building victory ahead of the Super League semi-finals. They were too good for an injury-hit Castleford Tigers side last Thursday, with Keiron Cunningham’s men remaining just about in the hunt for a home semi-final with two rounds of the season remaining.
#5 Toulouse Olympique (+1)
The Frenchmen continue to climb; this time after seeing off in-form Barrow Raiders to deny the Cumbrians a rematch in France this weekend. Heading into the League 1 Promotion Final against Rochdale, Olympique are on a dominating run of form – with the only blot on their league form this year a solitary draw: against the Hornets.
#6 Wigan Warriors (+2)
Questions were asked of Wigan last week following the defeat to Widnes, but they bounced back with a huge win at then-league leaders Hull FC to keep their own hopes of top spot alive. The Warriors can inflict more pain on the side sitting top this week when they face Warrington: win that, and the League Leader’s Shield race tips into Wigan’s hands.
#7 Rochdale Hornets (NEW)
The Hornets are a new entry – and deservedly so. Defeat to Toulouse a few weeks ago left their hopes of second dangling by a thread – but back-to-back wins have seen them nick second place at the expense of Barrow to earn themselves a trip to Toulouse in the League 1 Promotion Final this Saturday. Can they upset the odds and secure a return to the Championship in style?
#8 Hull FC (-4)
Lee Radford’s side take a tumble as their post-Wembley form continues to cast a rather large shadow over them heading into the crunch end of the season. They know victory at Wakefield on Thursday may not be enough to keep their hopes of the treble alive, with Warrington facing Wigan on Friday night.
#9 Swinton Lions (NEW)
The Lions pushed Bradford hard at Odsal a fortnight ago, but they went one better this weekend, beating Richard Marshall’s Halifax to keep their Championship Shield hopes alive. They will need Dewsbury to slip up at home to Oldham and pick up a win in Whitehaven to snatch fourth, but John Duffy’s side are firmly in the hunt for that final semi-final place with the Rams.
#10 Bradford Bulls (-3)
The Bulls remain in the top 10 – but only just. A disappointing defeat to Workington did little to impact their position at the top of the Championship Shield: but it was a firm reminder that victory in this competition is by no means a guarantee for Rohan Smith’s side as the semi-finals approach.
