HEADING into the 2026 Super League season, 14 head coaches will be putting their pre-season training plans into practice in a bid to steal a march on their rivals.
Three new teams – Bradford Bulls, Toulouse Olympique and York Knights – will ply their trade in the top flight next season.
And, as we look across the league, each head coach faces his own individual pressure to get it right, with some set for extended stays at their current clubs.
Looking at the 14 head coaches, it’s interesting to see their length of contracts at their respective clubs with some out of contract even at the end of 2026.
Here are all 14:
Bradford Bulls – Kurt Haggerty – 2028
Appointed in the wake of Brian Noble’s move into a director of rugby role, Kurt Haggerty has expectation on his shoulders from the Bradford Bulls fans eager to see a successful first season back in Super League for over a decade. A contract until the end of 2028 shows the faith that the Bradford board have on Haggerty to do just that – and he has learnt from one of the best in Paul Rowley at Salford Red Devils.
Castleford Tigers – Ryan Carr – 2028
An unknown quantity in Super League, Ryan Carr has one of the toughest jobs to turn around a Castleford Tigers side that was woeful at best in 2025. With just six league wins to their name, the Tigers fans will be wanting a lot more from their chargers in 2026. Experience as an assistant in the NRL will help Carr, whose spell at Featherstone Rovers is fondly remembered amongst that club’s supporters. Already touted as one of the brightest young coaches in the game, the 37-year-old is being tipped for great things – and a three-year deal at the Tigers will be a good starting point.
Catalans Dragons – Joel Tomkins – 2027
The good thing for Joel Tomkins is the fact that he already had experience as head coach of Catalans Dragons towards the back end of the 2025 season. Ending the year with three wins in a row, Tomkins impressed in his short tenure at the helm and was rewarded with a new two-year deal. Taking over from Steve McNamara is no easy feat considering the success the latter had at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, but Tomkins is a born winner.
Huddersfield Giants – Luke Robinson – 2027
It’s fair to say that Luke Robinson has endured a difficult start to life as a head coach of Huddersfield Giants. The Giants won just seven times in the league in 2025 and spent the majority of the season languishing around the bottom places of the Super League ladder. There was pressure on Robinson last season, but he was given the backing by owner Ken Davy amidst a terrible injury list. The former halfback has a contract until the end of 2027, but he will under firm pressure from the off to improve on 2025.
Hull FC – John Cartwright – 2027
John Cartwright enjoyed a relatively impressive first season as a head coach in Super League as the Black and Whites narrowly missed out on a play-off spot. A contract until the end of 2027 seems fair as the former Gold Coast Titans number one looks destined to improve on a seventh-placed finish in 2025.
Hull KR – Willie Peters – 2028
If ever there was a head coach destined for the NRL big time then it is Willie Peters. Steering Hull KR to a record treble in 2025, the jungle drums have been circling ever since. However, Rovers did excellently to tie down the Australian until the end of 2028, meaning if any NRL side did come calling, then a fee would have to be commanded. It will be interesting to see how Peters fares in 2026 with the weight of expectation from all corners now as heavy as it comes. What can be guaranteed is that the 46-year-old will rise to the challenge.
Leeds Rhinos – Brad Arthur – 2026
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Brad Arthur at Leeds Rhinos so far after taking the position of head coach initially until the end of the 2024 Super League season. He would sign a one-year deal for 2025, something which was replicated again for 2026 with the option to extend. Having been linked with the Perth Bears job throughout the last campaign, Arthur is still keen to return to the NRL following a decade at the Parramatta Eels. It remains to be seen whether the 51-year-old will extend at Headingley again.
Leigh Leopards – Adrian Lam – 2027
Leigh Leopards have been able to keep Adrian Lam at the helm in a move that is better than any signing on the field. Having enjoyed Challenge Cup success and reached successive Super League play-off semi-finals, Lam’s stock continues to rise. But the Leopards have tied down the former Papua New Guinea international until the end of 2027. Can Leigh go one further in 2026 under Lam’s tutelage and win another trophy?
St Helens – Paul Rowley – 2028
Perhaps the story of the off-season saw St Helens replace club legend Paul Wellens with Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley, who has signed a three-year deal. It’s a long-term investment by Saints, who are desperate for success following a barren run of years without trophies. There can be no denying the fact that Rowley is one of the best man-managers in rugby league so it will be interesting to see how he fares at a club that will expect instant success at St Helens.
Toulouse Olympique – Sylvain Houles – 2027
A head coach that can remain in a position for 12 years must be doing something right. And for Sylvain Houles at Toulouse Olympique, he is a man that has been with the French club through thick and thin. No one could ever question Houles’ commitment to the Toulouse cause and though his contract with them is until 2027, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it was a contract for life.
Wakefield Trinity – Daryl Powell – 2029
Wakefield Trinity acted quickly during the 2025 campaign to sign head coach Daryl Powell and assistant Michael Shenton to the club until the end of 2029. With plenty of time to create a legacy, Trinity are in superb hands with Powell and his protege, with a play-off finish in 2025 epitomising the influence of the former Castleford Tigers number one. A contract until 2029 will enable Powell to have an impact such as the one he had at The Jungle.
Warrington Wolves – Sam Burgess – 2026
Like Brad Arthur, Sam Burgess’ future was a source of contention during the 2025 season. Also linked with the Perth Bears, Burgess was not chosen as a candidate, but there had also been talk of the ex-South Sydney Rabbitohs enforcer even signing an extension at Warrington Wolves. A great first campaign in 2024 was overshadowed by a disappointing one in 2025. And with Burgess’ deal running out in 2026, it seems unlikely that he will remain at the Halliwell Jones beyond that.
Wigan Warriors – Matt Peet – 2030
The longest contract of all head coaches in Super League is that of Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet. In March 2024, Peet signed a seven-year contract until the end of 2030 as the Wigan board obviously saw the chance to create a firm legacy under the 41-year-old. Of course, having failed to win a trophy in 2025, Peet will be under some pressure to perform in 2026, but he is more than capable of rising to the occasion.
York Knights – Mark Applegarth – Unknown
When Mark Applegarth took the York Knights coaching job in June 2024, his length of deal was not made public. However, the success that Applegarth had in 2025 – with the Knights winning the League Leaders’ Shield and the 1895 Cup but losing in the Championship Grand Final –