THE 2026 Super League season isn’t far away as all 14 top flight sides continue their recruitment and retention.
Of course, at this time in pre-season, most clubs have done their business with a plethora of new recruits making the trip halfway across the world as well as across the UK.
But, which five Super League signings are under the most pressure to perform?
Jackson Hastings – St Helens
There can be no denying the talent of Jackson Hastings. The 29-year-old returns to the northern hemisphere with St Helens following four seasons in the NRL with the Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers.
In his previous spell in the UK, Hastings featured for both Salford Red Devils and Wigan Warriors, reaching Grand Finals with both sides and registering 46 and 41 appearances respectively for the clubs as well as earning the Man of Steel.
But, the pressure will be on. Saints haven’t won a trophy for a number of years and their fans were getting impatient with former head coach Paul Wellens.
A one-year deal means Hastings will need to make a huge impact immediately, especially when considering Wellens tried over ten different spine combinations last season.
Ryan Sutton – Bradford Bulls
When Ryan Sutton signed for Bradford Bulls, there was a big commotion. The 30-year-old made 118 appearances for his hometown club Wigan, scoring 11 tries, over a period of five seasons between 2014 and 2018, earning himself an NRL deal with Canberra Raiders.
Sutton spent four seasons in the Australian capital before moving to Canterbury Bulldogs on a AU$550,000-a-year deal.
But a series of serious injuries – including hip and knee issues – saw Sutton play just 13 NRL matches for the Bulldogs before the forward ruptured his bicep whilst on a train-and-trial deal with Gold Coast Titans.
The 30-year-old has to stay fit for the Bulls because it might be his last chance saloon.
Toby Sexton – Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons were dreadful by their own standards in 2025. The French side lacked power, pace and leadership across the park and new head coach Joel Tomkins has sought to address that with ten new signings so far. But, one of those in particular stands out – Toby Sexton.
The goalkicking halfback is just 24 years of age and will take over the mantle left by Luke Keary, but the difference between those two players is the fact that Sexton has made 65 NRL appearances at such a young age.
With that, however, comes pressure and with the playmaker staying at the Stade Gilbert Brutus for just one season before moving to Perth Bears, his impact will need to be immediate.
James Bentley – Warrington Wolves
It was a signing that came out of left field considering James Bentley only signed a new deal with Leeds Rhinos in April last year. However, Leeds and the 28-year-old agreed a termination due to a “personal matter”, with the Ireland international instead signing for Warrington Wolves.
Bentley signed just a 12-month deal at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for 2026 and the pressure is on for the back-rower to produce the form that made him such a sought-after prospect when he was at St Helens.
Everyone knows the 28-year-old is a talented player but Bentley has been inconsistent in recent years – something which he needs to improve on if he is to earn another contract at Warrington.
Jack Sinfield – Wakefield Trinity
It’s fair to say that Jack Sinfield would forever have been in the shadow of his incredible father, Kevin, had he remained at Leeds Rhinos.
Now, having signed a three-year deal at Wakefield Trinity, Sinfield has the chance to forge his own name in rugby league and where better than at a club that has improved rapidly in recent years under Daryl Powell.
Sinfield must force his way into Powell’s thinking ahead of either Jake Trueman or Mason Lino which won’t be an easy task given both players’ form in 2025, but the 21-year-old needs to play regular Super League games.