{"id":575549,"date":"2025-11-17T05:31:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-17T05:31:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/575549\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T05:31:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-17T05:31:36","slug":"every-super-league-clubs-player-with-a-point-to-prove-in-2026-as-england-internationals-tipped-for-improved-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/575549\/","title":{"rendered":"Every Super League club’s player with a point to prove in 2026 as England internationals tipped for improved year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"George\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

With pre-season getting underway for some Super League teams this week, there will be many players in the top flight looking to head into the 2026 season stronger.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three clubs are already back into the action, with Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC and Warrington Wolves all returning to training this week.<\/p>\n

Throughout all clubs, there will be some players who want, or need, to prove a point next year, be that due to injury issues, selection snubs, or simply capitalising on a second chance.<\/p>\n

For the latter, we saw Leeds\u2019 Jake Connor do exactly that in the season just gone. Many questioned his ability to work under a coach like Brad Arthur, but it turned out to be a masterstroke, as the former Hull FC man won the Man of Steel award, before being controversially snubbed of a place in the England squad.<\/p>\n

Super League players with a point to prove in 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bradford Bulls \u2013 Rowan Milnes<\/strong><\/p>\n

After departing Castleford Tigers half-way through last season, half-back Milnes found himself at Hull KR, and immediately went on loan to Salford Red Devils to finish the season.<\/p>\n

He found form again in a struggling Salford side, and was a key part of their improved performances in the closing stages. However, his Rovers contract was not renewed, despite the club only having Jack Charles as a back-up half.<\/p>\n

He has now returned to Bradford and looks to be first-choice once again. Back at his former club, he will want to show the rest of Super League that he can still compete in the top flight and help his former side become a competitive club in the division.<\/p>\n

Castleford Tigers \u2013 Darnell McIntosh<\/strong><\/p>\n

Falling out of favour at Leigh Leopards in 2025, McIntosh has moved on to pastures new, linking up with Chris Chester once again at Castleford. What started off as an injury layoff turned to be a selection issue, with the 28-year-old playing just one of the Leopards\u2019 final 13 matches.<\/p>\n

The winger, who has scored 74 tries in 169 Super League games, will be hoping for an improved season as part of a new-look Tigers back line.<\/p>\n

Catalans Dragons \u2013 Lewis Dodd<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coming back to Super League after a disappointing year in the NRL with South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dodd returns to the Northern Hemisphere on a 12-month contract.<\/p>\n

Limited game time halted his progress Down Under, combined with the fact his face didn\u2019t fit in Wayne Bennett\u2019s plans. The former St Helens man will want to show he still has the ability to compete at the top level, and he has the chance to do just that with Catalans\u2019 halves partnership between himself and Toby Sexton looking to be one of the strongest in the league.<\/p>\n

Huddersfield Giants \u2013 Niall Evalds<\/strong><\/p>\n

After an injury-ravaged 2025 season, Evalds made just two appearances on loan at the Giants from Hull KR, suffering knocks in both matches. A broken foot ruled him out from March to July, before he picked up a calf injury on return that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.<\/p>\n

He will be hoping for some consistent game time in 2026, and a year without a prolonged period on the sidelines. The full-back has the talent, as shown by his Lance Todd Trophy win in 2021, however he needs the opportunity to showcase that, and will hope that will come now he has signed permanently at the Accu Stadium.<\/p>\n

Hull FC \u2013 Will Pryce<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like Evalds, Hull FC\u2019s Pryce found his Super League season limited through injury. After returning from a stint in the NRL with Newcastle Knights, Pryce, made just 10 appearances before his season was over in August.<\/p>\n

Jordan Rapana\u2019s retirement will see him move to full-back permanently, and will link up with Jake Arthur and Aidan Sezer to form the Black and Whites\u2019 spine partnership for next year.<\/p>\n

The son of Super League winner, Leon, Pryce is still only 22 and after impressing at Huddersfield Giants, another pre-season under his belt, especially one under a former NRL coach, John Cartwright, could see him come one of the most exciting players to watch in the competition next year.<\/p>\n

Hull KR \u2013 Jack Broadbent<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Rovers centre can count himself as hugely unlucky to miss out on the side\u2019s Grand Final triumph, after performing brilliantly across the season.<\/p>\n

Used as a replacement to Oliver Gildart, who missed most of the season through injury, Broadbent was left out of the squad in the Old Trafford finale, with the former Wigan man returning in the final few games of the season.<\/p>\n

Able to play full-back, centre or the wing, his versatility has somewhat cost him, with him unable to nail down just one position in the Robins side.<\/p>\n

The former Leeds and Castleford man will want to show Willie Peters that he is worthy of a regular starting role next year, and that he is too talented to be used as a depth option.<\/p>\n

Leeds Rhinos \u2013 Maika Sivo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another man who was plagued by injury, the return of Sivo at Leeds will be like a brand-new signing, with the Fijian international suffering an ACL injury\u00a0 in January, ruling him out for the entire campaign.<\/p>\n

Scoring 104 tries in 115 NRL games, all of which came under current Rhinos boss, Brad Arthur, he still has the potential to be one of the league\u2019s strongest wingers, and whilst Leeds\u2019 youngsters performed well on the left wing, his physicality and experience will only improve the Headingley outfit\u2019s attack.<\/p>\n

Leigh Leopards \u2013 David Armstrong<\/strong><\/p>\n

The former NRL full-back made the move to the Leigh Sports Village this year, and started the year in great form, scoring eight tries in 15 matches. However, despite playing through the pain for almost three matches, he suffered an ACL injury and underwent surgery in the summer.<\/p>\n

Adrian Lam confirmed his overseas star will be looking at a return date of around March 2026<\/a>, meaning Bailey Hodgson will likely resume in the number one spot.<\/p>\n

However, if Hodgson\u2019s performances carry on into next year, Armstrong will have some tough work ahead of him to earn back his place in the side.<\/p>\n

St Helens \u2013 Jack Welsby<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following a turbulent year wearing the Red Vee, Welsby will want to prove himself to fans of Super League and the NRL, with his performances in an England shirt this Ashes series putting him under scrutiny from media Down Under.<\/p>\n

With the World Cup on the horizon in 2026, England have found a new full-back in AJ Brimson, whilst the likes of Pryce could be hot on their tails too. A consistent season that sees him remain in one position will do his confidence a heap of good, and his performances will go a long way in determining how Saints do in their first season under Paul Rowley.<\/p>\n

Toulouse Olympique \u2013\u00a0 Tyler Dupree<\/strong><\/p>\n

The former England international joins the newly-promoted French side on a season long loan<\/a>, after finding game time hard to come by at the Brick Community Stadium.<\/p>\n

Still only 25, Dupree came through the ranks at Leeds before being released to the Championship. Moves to Salford and Wigan then came about after impressing in the lower divisions.<\/p>\n

His time at the Warriors hasn\u2019t gone as planned, but a year in Super League with Toulouse could be the spark that brings back Dupree\u2019s flame that made him one of the most promising props in the English game.<\/p>\n

Wakefield Trinity \u2013 Jack Sinfield<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following his exit at Leeds Rhinos, Sinfield has moved to Trinity on a three-year deal in the hope for more game time and to forge his own path in his rugby league career.<\/p>\n

The son of Rhinos legend, Kevin, the half-back has had his father\u2019s shadow lingering over him all the way through his time at Headingley, but will now hope that he can make his own name and unleash the huge potential he has shown in the academy and reserve grades at Leeds.<\/p>\n

Warrington Wolves \u2013 George Williams<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reportedly going to the NRL in 2027, Williams needs a hugely improved season in 2026 to show he can still compete at the highest level.<\/p>\n

An underwhelming season at Warrington, combined with sub-par performances in the Ashes has seen a lot of criticism go his way, however on his day, Williams can be a lethal playmaker, and it is something we need to see next year to prove he is worthy of both an NRL deal and an England jersey at the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Wigan Warriors \u2013 Luke Thompson<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having missed out on an England call-up for this year\u2019s Ashes series, Thompson will be doing all he can to make sure is on the plane to Australia for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n

The former NRL man started the 2025 season in top form, however a rib injury ruled him out for two months, and after returning in September failed to make as much impact as he did earlier in the season.<\/p>\n

Still only 30, Thompson has a lot to offer both Wigan and England, and will have huge hunger to perform next year.<\/p>\n

York Knights \u2013 Jon Bennison<\/strong><\/p>\n

The young winger went from a Grand Final try scorer in 2022 to then being given the number five jersey the following year, before being phased out of the team in 2025.<\/p>\n

However, when called upon, particularly in big matches, Bennison has been able to take those chances and deliver, as shown by his try in the play-off game against Leeds in September.<\/p>\n

Joining the Knights upon their Super League promotion, the 22-year-old will look to progress his career with less pressure on him, and could play a big role in York\u2019s top flight chances, given his try scoring and goal kicking ability.<\/p>\n

Serious About Rugby League has launched a brand new podcast which can be watched in full on our YouTube channel here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With pre-season getting underway for some Super League teams this week, there will be many players in the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":575550,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4102],"tags":[4151,79,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-575549","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-rugby","8":"tag-rugby","9":"tag-sports","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115563403337073320","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575549","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=575549"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/575549\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/575550"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=575549"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=575549"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=575549"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}