#1 Hull FC – (+1)
Lee Radford’s men move to the top of our Power Rankings this week after another phenomenal week for them on the road to Wembley and the Challenge Cup final. Another victory, another clean sheet in defence and another strong performance from the league leaders has them out in front of the chasing pack.
#2 Leeds Rhinos (+1)
Last year’s Super League champions move up a place after a strong start to the Qualifiers, with their third win in succession moving them ever closer to retaining their place in Super League. Two wins from the final four should be enough for the Rhinos – but they will no doubt be looking at making it a magnificent seven from seven.
#3 Leigh Centurions (+1)
Another Qualifiers side on the rise in the Power Rankings! Neil Jukes’ men, like Leeds, have a perfect record in the Qualifiers so far and look a seriously good bet for promotion now – with two more wins almost certainly enough to see them up into Super League: although they will have to beat at least one more Super League side between now and the end of the ‘middle eight’.
#4 Toulouse Olympique (+2)
The League 1 leaders confirmed their spot at the top of the third tier for the end-of-season promotion tussle, and they also guaranteed a home tie to secure promotion in the process. Nobody will fancy going to France to take on Sylvain Houles’ men – are they Championship bound for 2017?
#5 Wigan – (+5)
Yet another side rising in the Power Rankings, and this time it’s our biggest movers from last week, Wigan. They dropped as low as 10th last week but rise five places this week after a superb performance to beat local rivals St Helens 25-0. It ensured they remained firmly in the hunt for the League Leader’s Shield when Super League resumes after the break for the cup next week.
#6 St Helens: (-5)
The Saints were top of the Power Rankings last week: but with everything happening elsewhere, they take a big tumble five places. Defeat to Wigan hampered their chances of finishing top – although with seven wins from their last eight, they’re still more than worth their place in the top six of our rankings.
#7 Warrington (+1)
Like opponents Hull FC, Warrington rise a place in time for this weekend’s Challenge Cup final. The Wolves certainly weren’t at their best in seeing off Castleford, but with Jack Hughes’ late try keeping them firmly on the toes of the Black and Whites when it comes to the league, it sets up a thrilling final at Wembley this Saturday.
#8 Bradford (NEW)
The first of two new sides in this week’s rankings – and they both come from the Championship Shield. The Bulls went at over a point a minute to hammer Oldham 82-0 on Sunday, extending their record to three from three in the Shield in the process. Are Rohan Smith’s men overwhelming favourites for that title now?
#9 London (-2)
The Broncos take a tumble – but given how well they applied themselves against a white-hot Leeds outfit, they stay in the top 10. They’ll have an uphill battle to gain promotion now, but given how they’ve already played the two unbeaten sides before the break, it is by no means impossible for them to get into the Million Pound Game.
#10 Swinton (NEW)
The Lions are storming away from the relegation zone in the Championship Shield. A huge 40-38 win at Sheffield on Sunday means they’re now four points clear of the bottom two with just four games remaining. Can John Duffy’s men see off the threat of relegation?
