Rugby League: Quick Preview of the Engage Super League 2011 Season

The following was taking in full from our friends at Sky Sport.  Full coverage of the opening weekend can be seen on Sky Sports.  Sky Sports will show full and unrivalled coverage of the Super League 2011 season.

The Engage Super League season gets under way this weekend with the game's unique seven-header at the Millennium Stadium.

Local derbies are once again the order of the day for what is sure to be a thrilling curtain-raiser to the new campaign.

Wigan come into the season as defending champions and the Warriors are favourites to retain their crown.

But the usual suspects of St Helens and Leeds will be desperate to dethrone Wigan and both have new head coaches to lead their challenges.

Warrington will also fancy their chances of making their mark this time around. The cup specialists have yet to reach a Grand Final and a peaking team will be convinced it can be their year.

Bradford will be hoping to rediscover their glory years, while the two Hull sides will once again be challengers.

And for those clubs without realistic Grand Final ambitions, it is vital they stay competitive, with the Super League licences coming up for renewal

But if there is one thing we have discovered over the last few years, it is that any team in Super League is capable of beating any other on any given day.

And this season promises to be more competitive and exciting than ever.


Super League XVI team-by-team guide

 BRADFORD BULLS

The Bulls will be hoping for a turnaround in fortunes under new coach Mick Potter after a desperately disappointing 2010.

CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Castleford have lost Michael Shenton and Joe Westerman but they still have reasons to be cheerful heading into 2011.

CATALANS DRAGONS

The only way is up for the Dragons, who now have Trent Robinson in charge, after finishing with the wooden spoon last year.

CRUSADERS

Iestyn Harris is the new man in charge at the Racecourse - but Crusaders start the season already behind the pack.

HARLEQUINS

Rob Powell - the youngest coach in Super League at 30 - has a tough job on his hands as he leads Quins' youth movement.

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS

The Giants look tough up front and strong in number, even with the departure of former Man of Steel Brett Hodgson.

HULL FC

The Airlie Birds splashed the cash on loose forward Joe Westerman as they look to improve on last year's sixth place.

HULL KR

Willie, or won't he? Hull KR are waiting for Willie Mason to arrive - but Blake Green could be their key capture for 2011.

LEEDS RHINOS

Brian McDermott will be looking to lead the Rhinos back to the Super League summit in his first year in charge at Headingley.

SALFORD CITY REDS

Luke Patten is one of a plethora of new faces that has raised hopes that the Reds could make a push for the play-offs.

ST HELENS

A new Australian coach and three big-name signings show that Saints have no intention of finishing as bridesmaids yet again.

WAKEFIELD WILDCATS

It's been a difficult winter for Wakefield and John Kear, who has had to wheel and deal to assemble his playing squad.

WARRINGTON WOLVES

With two top-class players added to an already star-studded squad, Warrington have all the ingredients for success.

WIGAN WARRIORS

A Storm wave has arrived from Melbourne during the winter, leaving Michael Maguire's men looking stronger than ever.