Catalans Dragons and Leigh lead exciting Super League campaign – what comes next

Leigh have stolen the show in Betfred Super League this year by surging towards an improbable play-off place in their first season back in the top flight.

With the Leopards looking strong alongside Catalans Dragons, Wigan and St Helens, a furious battle is developing for the final two post-season slots – not to mention a potential twist at the bottom of the table.

With 10 weeks of the regular season remaining, the PA news agency runs the rule over the 12 teams ahead of a potentially pivotal weekend of action.

CATALANS DRAGONS (Pld 17/Pts 26)

Hull FC v Catalans Dragons – Betfred Super League – MKM Stadium — Tom Johnstone has been in stunning form for Catalans Dragons (Will Matthews/PA)

Steve McNamara’s men head into Saturday’s home clash with Huddersfield on a high after seven straight wins.

Boosted by the exuberant form of winger Tom Johnstone and underpinned by the ever-evolving Arthur Mourgue, consistent Catalans look strong bets to land their second League Leaders’ Shield.

LEIGH (17/22)

Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards – Betfred Super League Magic Weekend – St. James’ Park — Lachlan Lam, left, has helped inspire Leigh to second place (Richard Sellers/PA)

Spectacularly bucking the trend of previous promoted teams, Adrian Lam’s side are riding high in second place as they prepare to head to struggling Castleford.

With yards from John Asiata, points from Josh Charnley and precision from Lachlan Lam, there is little sign of the Leopards losing their spots.

WIGAN (17/22)

Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity – Betfred Super League – DW Stadium — Jai Field has returned to bolster Wigan’s play-off hopes (Isaac Parkin/PA)

Matt Peet’s men go to resurgent Wakefield on Friday on a high having rebounded well from last month’s mauling by St Helens with two straight wins.

With Jai Field back in his favoured full-back role and Bevan French busier in the halves, the Warriors look in good shape for another post-season assault.

WARRINGTON (17/22)

Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves – Betfred Challenge Cup – Quarter Final – DW Stadium — Warrington coach Daryl Powell has a lot to ponder (Richard Sellers/PA)

Four league defeats from five and the embarrassing exit of Josh McGuire have rendered Warrington’s eight-game unbeaten start to the campaign a distant memory.

Another loss to St Helens on Friday would pile more pressure on boss Daryl Powell, with his side facing the real possibility of sliding all the way out of the top six.

ST HELENS (16/20)

Hull FC v St. Helens – Betfred Super League – MKM Stadium — Paul Wellens’ Saints have endured a sluggish campaign (Mike Egerton/PA)

Some recent displays suggest Saints are once again coming good at the right time but last month’s surprise blip at Hull indicates Paul Wellens still has some work to do.

A win at Warrington would ease those fears and arguably confirm Saints’ status as favourites to reel off a fifth consecutive Grand Final triumph.

SALFORD (17/20)

Salford Red Devils v Hull FC – Betfred Super League – AJ Bell Stadium — Marc Sneyd is hoping to kick stuttering Salford into the play-offs (Richard Sellers/PA)

Paul Rowley’s men face Leeds on Sunday in a match that could have a major say on which team goes on to seal a play-off slot.

Despite once again defying the odds for much of the campaign, back-to-back heavy losses – most recently at rock-bottom Wakefield – have raised questions over the Red Devils’ ability to stay the course.

HULL KR (17/18)

Hull Kingston Rovers v Castleford Tigers – Betfred Challenge Cup – Quarter Finals – Sewell Group Craven Park — Injuries to the likes of Jordan Abdull have hit Hull KR hard (Will Matthews/PA)

Injury-ravaged Rovers have shown signs of buckling in recent weeks and head into Sunday’s derby with scant hope of repeating their 40-0 humiliation of Hull at the MKM Stadium in April.

Jordan Abdull is their latest big loss, but despite a major battle to retain their top six slot, Rovers’ fighting spirit cannot be questioned.

LEEDS (17/16)

Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants – Betfred Super League – Headingley Stadium — Blake Austin is hitting his best form for Leeds (Martin Rickett/PA)

Unfathomable for much of the season, Rohan Smith’s men finally appear to have found their groove, thanks in no small part to the superb form of Blake Austin and the muscle of mysteriously departing prop Sam Walters.

Heading to Salford on Sunday, the Rhinos’ traditional late-season surge is under way.

HULL (17/14)

Hull FC v Warrington Wolves – Betfred Super League Magic Weekend – St. James’ Park — Brad Fash is helping Hull barge up the Super League table (Richard Sellers/PA)

Even last week’s gutsy defeat by Catalans could not disguise the significant improvements made by Tony Smith’s side since a torrid start to the campaign.

With halves Jake Clifford and Jake Trueman outstanding, and homegrown Brad Fash typifying their fresh impetus up front, FC could end up running the top six close.

HUDDERSFIELD (16/10)

Huddersfield Giants v Wakefield Trinity – Betfred Super League – St James’ Park — Ian Watson’s Huddersfield are enduring a desperate campaign (Richard Sellers/PA)

Huddersfield’s only solace in a season to forget is that there are two teams below them who have been much worse.

But with Wakefield stirring, under-pressure Giants boss Ian Watson needs to summon something from his tired side, unrecognisable from that basking in a Wembley Challenge Cup final just over 12 months ago.

CASTLEFORD (17/8)

Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves – Betfred Super League – The Mend-A-Hose Jungle — Castleford have struggled for consistency this season (Richard Sellers/PA)

Cas are capable of summoning good days – see their Magic Weekend win over Leeds and the recent success against Warrington – but remain ravaged by inconsistency and, despite the encouraging loan signing of Riley Dean, have every reason to be looking over their shoulders with increasing alarm.

WAKEFIELD (17/4)

Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos – Betfred Super League – Be Well Support Stadium — Wakefield are targeting another unlikely great escape (Nigel French/PA)

The top flight’s great escape act are at it again, if last week’s thumping win over Salford is anything to go by.

Fully behind boss Mark Applegarth and galvanised by the recent arrival of Luke Gale, Wakefield would issue another major statement if they manage to get something from Wigan on Friday night.