Leeds monopoly is under threat with Wolves at the door and ready to bite

IT STARTED off in the unlikely surroundings of snowy Wrexham and will culminate in nine months amid the far more familiar environment of a booming Old Trafford.

What will happen in between is anyone's guess despite all the talk that the quest for Super League XV is already a foregone conclusion.

Having made history by proving victorious at a third successive Grand Final, Leeds Rhinos are evidently marked out as favourites to go on and extend that winning run.

Given their squad strengthening during the ensuing winter, and their players' insatiable desire for more silverware, it is initially hard to see who can derail the champions' pursuit of further glory.

But rivals are growing tired of living in their increasingly widening shadow and there is greater belief from within the potential challengers themselves – if not dubious onlookers – that 2010 could see the monopoly shattered.

It will take a side not only brilliantly gifted but equally as resilient to bring down Brian McClennan's charges yet the pool of candidates for the task should be greater than before.

St Helens, with a changing of the guard following Sean Long's succession by the wonderfully talented Kyle Eastmond, will look to some of their younger ensemble to add fresh dynamism to the tired-looking side that has missed out to their nemesis in each of those last three finals.

It could be seen as a season of transition for Saints, with exemplary hooker Keiron Cunningham in his final year before retiring, and Long, Lee Gilmour and Jason Cayless already gone.

But do not be surprised if the young blood coursing through Knowsley Road, including the returning Scott Moore after his seminal season at Huddersfield Giants, provides the spark that has eluded the erstwhile champions of late and sends the legendary Cunningham off on a fitting winning note.

Last season's surprise runners Huddersfield and Hull KR will both be rallied by their impressive showings and confident of pushing further in 2010, especially Giants coach Nathan Brown who will have found it difficult to comprehend they came away with nothing last season.

After reaching the Challenge Cup final only to badly under-perform, and likewise with their first appearance in the play-offs, the Super League coach of the year is aware his side are capable of so much more.

Much will depend on how they react to the recent rape allegations involving six of their players – bailed until the middle of next month – but expect the young Australian, who has added steel and experience with Gilmour and the return of Brad Drew, to guide the club into another position of strength.

Hull KR may find it tougher to replicate their highest position of fourth but it will be the three unexpected omissions from last year's play-offs who hold the greatest belief in their powers.

Of Bradford Bulls, Hull FC and Warrington Wolves, the latter look best placed to surge back into the fold and halt the Rhinos' charge.

Tony Smith knows how to win Grand FInals after his successes with Leeds in 2004 and 2007 and now, having had nearly a year to put in place his plans, instil much-needed discipline and re-shape the Warrington squad, there is a genuine belief the Wolves can finally bite.

Their Challenge Cup triumph allied to some major recruitment – Richard Myler and Ryan Atkins would bolster any side in Super League – sees the Cheshire outfit as potentially Leeds's greatest threat.

Hull and Bradford have been busy in the transfer market, too, and their eagerness to end too many years in the doldrums is blatantly apparent. Richard Agar and Steve McNamara are skilled coaches who will now believe they have the best squads at their disposal since taking charge at KC Stadium and Odsal respectively. In Long and Matt Orford, they have both acquired a world-class scrum-half capable of redirecting their fortunes.

There is also a welcome major change in 2010; the sense there is no actual change.

Rugby league is notorious for its tendency to tinker, often with brave and bold initiatives – think play-off systems, Magic Weekends and the intriguing Club Call – but for only the second time in Super League history, and the first since 2001, there are no alterations to the competition's actual make-up.

The licence system means there has been no club relegated, no team promoted and no sides strangely merged – although many critics will argue the rebranded and relocated Crusaders should have been kicked out after all their troubles – while the season kicks off with no new hair-brained idea to get our heads around.

Some of the biggest issues of 2010 will be taking place off the field with clubs needing to get their houses in order ready to re-apply for licences next year.

The likes of Crusaders, Salford City Reds, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats will be those most at risk with the competition understood to be falling back to 12 clubs in 2012.

For those, performances behind the scenes could be just as important as anything on the pitch as they look to convince the RFL they are worthy of staying in.