BRADFORD BULLS
Coach: Francis Cummins (since September 2012).
Key man: Brett Kearney.
Prospects: New coach Francis Cummins could face a baptism of fire. He will have to operate with a slimmed-down squad, having lost a wealth of experience, and will need a huge slice of good fortune with injuries if he is take the Bulls into the top eight.
Prediction: 11th.
CASTLEFORD TIGERS
Coach: Ian Millward (since November 2011).
Key man: Rangi Chase.
Prospects: It is looking like another tough season for the Tigers, who ended 2012 with seven straight defeats. Wily coach Ian Millward has rung the changes but he will once more rely heavily on Rangi Chase for inspiration. It could be a battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
Prediction: 14th.
CATALAN DRAGONS
Coach: Laurent Frayssinous (since October 2012).
Key man: Leon Pryce.
Prospects: The loss of the hugely-influential Scott Dureau through illness for the first few weeks of the season could be crucial but new coach Laurent Frayssinous has enough talent at his disposal to ensure his side are competitive.
Prediction: 5th.
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS
Coach: Paul Anderson (since July 2012).
Key man: Danny Brough.
Prospects: New coach Paul Anderson will be hoping his beefed-up pack can steamroller their way to success. If they can avoid their traditional fade in the second half of the season, the Giants should be once more pushing for a play-off spot.
Prediction: 7th.
HULL FC
Coach: Peter Gentle (since November 2011).
Key man: Gareth Ellis.
Prospects: Many are expecting the arrival of Gareth Ellis to turn Hull into potential champions but coach Peter Gentle will be hoping his failure to land a new top-quality scrum-half does not come back to haunt him.
Prediction: 6th.
HULL KR
Coach: Craig Sandercock (since November 2011).
Key man: Michael Dobson.
Prospects: The departure of Blake Green leaves a huge hole in the Robins’ attacking armoury and much will depend on the impact of the club’s trio of overseas newcomers. They are sure to be competitive but could once more miss out on the play-offs.
Prediction: 9th.
LEEDS RHINOS
Coach: Brian McDermott (since November 2010).
Key man: Kevin Sinfield.
Prospects: The long-serving spine of the Rhinos’ attack is a year older but the champions still look good for another tilt at Old Trafford and centre Joel Moon could prove to be a shrewd signing.
Prediction: 1st.
LONDON BRONCOS
Coach: Tony Rea (since August 2012).
Key man: Craig Gower.
Prospects: The Broncos finished 2012 with four wins from their last five matches under the returning Tony Rea and, if he can continue to get the best out of the club’s under-performing stars, they could be pushing for the top eight.
Prediction: 8th.
SALFORD CITY REDS
Coach: Phil Veivers (since November 2011).
Key man: Martin Gleeson.
Prospects: The City Reds are sure to struggle in the early rounds but, once the club’s takeover is completed and Phil Veivers brings in his reinforcements, they should enjoy a good second half to the season.
Prediction: 12th.
ST HELENS
Coach: Nathan Brown (since November 2012).
Key man: Jonny Lomax.
Prospects: Saints are guaranteed to be challenging once more and new coach Nathan Brown knows he does not need to change much to enable to end them to end their seven-year itch for a trophy.
Prediction: 2nd.
WAKEFIELD TRINITY WILDCATS
Coach: Richard Agar (since November 2011).
Key man: Tim Smith.
Prospects: After arguably over-achieving in 2012, the challenge for Richard Agar is to ensure his team can back up their efforts and maintain the momentum of one of Super League’s thriving clubs.
Prediction: 10th.
WARRINGTON WOLVES
Coach: Tony Smith (since March 2009).
Key man: Lee Briers.
Prospects: No new signings and 10 thirty-somethings in their squad but Warrington have enough star quality to be pushing for a first Super League title after going so close to doing the double in 2012.
Prediction: 3rd.
WIDNES VIKINGS
Coach: Denis Betts (since November 2010).
Key man: Kevin Brown.
Prospects: Widnes will be better for the experience in 2012 and will believe the capture of Huddersfield captain Kevin Brown, in addition to his brother-in-law Gareth Hock, can help propel them up the table.
Prediction: 13th.
WIGAN WARRIORS
Coach: Shaun Wane (since November 2011).
Key man: Blake Green.
Prospects: Wigan face a difficult task overcoming the loss of four quality overseas players, including both half-backs, as well as Gareth Hock, so it is hard to see them retaining the league leaders’ shield.
Prediction: 4th.
