Super League 2010: What the experts say

There will be a return of the traditional power-bases with Bradford, Warrington and Hull FC coming back into the equation which means Wakefield and Castleford are going to have a big job on repeating what they did last year and making the play-offs.

Leeds have that winning mentality now and I think they will take the title. They've strengthened their "weaknesses" by getting in a centre and second row. It could be a season of transition for St Helens.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Hull KR

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Paul Cooke (Hull KR)

Andy Kelly

Ireland and RFL N East talent coach

I was quite excited by the events of last year with – aside from the top two – a real levelling out of sides. I'm looking forward to a repeat of that with the likes of Hull KR, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Hull and Bradford all strengthening and working hard on areas that let them down last time. I don't think the top two will change but the rest will be more evenly contested with perhaps Warrington pushing into the top three.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Hull KR

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Salford

One to watch: Scot Grix (Huddersfield)

Ray French

BBC commentator

I think it will be an even more competitive season than last year because the salary cap is beginning to bite down now, meaning there's much of a muchness with the finances of the clubs. Hull FC need to start performing – making Sean Long captain is a bit of a master-stroke as he'll have a lot to prove. St Helens may be starting to re-build, Wigan could have a resurgence under Michael Maguire but I can't see past Leeds – Greg Eastwood will only add to them.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Wigan

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Salford City

One to watch: Greg Eastwood (Leeds)

Mark Aston

Sheffield chief executive/head coach

With the players Hull FC have brought in, you would expect them to have a pretty strong season.

They could surprise a few teams this year under Sean Long's captaincy and I think the whole competition will be a little more competitive and exciting. There may be two or three clubs left cut adrift at the bottom but I would not be able to pick what order the top six or even four will finish in as it's that open.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Hull FC

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Salford City

One to watch: Kyle Eastmond (St Helens)

Danny Lockwood

Editor of League Weekly

I think Leeds are obviously the team that everyone has got to aim at although they are probably the team that has strengthened the most – Brett Delaney and Greg Eastwood are going to be key to what they needed. St Helens might find themselves in a transitional stage. They have some good young lads coming through but they could be a club on the turn this season and Wigan would be my tip to make a shot along with perennial under-achievers Warrington Wolves.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Wigan

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Sia Soliola (St Helens)

Mike Stephenson

Sky Sports commentator

I predict a big change from three clubs – Warrington, who, with all their talent and despite success at Wembley, should still have reached the play-offs; Hull, due to the Sean Long factor; and Bradford down to the Matt Orford factor. Those two are different scrum-halves – Longy so off-the-cuff and Orford not the fastest in the world but a great organiser – yet could be equally important for their sides.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Bradford

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Kevin Sinfield (Leeds)

Daryl Powell

Featherstone Rovers coach

Leeds Rhinos still look the best-placed club for honours.

They have maintained most of their squad and have added Brett Delaney in the centre and Greg Eastwood up front so the Headingley club

this time look a little more balanced than in the last two years, too.

It is going to be a challenging competition after the way teams like Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants progressed so well last year but champions Leeds are the team to beat.

Grand Final winners: Leeds Rhinos

Challenge Cup winners: St Helens

Minor Premiers: Leeds Rhinos

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Sean Long (Hull FC)

Dave Woods

BBC 5 Live commentator

IT IS going to be good to see how Saints react to the loss of Sean Long but also the increasing number of younger players in their squad. Some made a bit of a mark last season and might be making more in 2010. Leeds will be the team to beat and I'm excited by two of last season's under-achievers – Bradford and Hull – and worried by Crusaders; we don't want a team that

is limping along at the bottom.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Hull FC

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Leon Pryce (St Helens)

Martin Offiah

Try-scoring legend and agent

IF Brian Noble can somehow see the Crusaders not finish bottom then he deserves Coach of the Year.

Leeds have won the last three titles and they have strengthened not just with their new signings but more so with Danny Buderus coming back from injury. Kallum Watkins could have a big year for them – as a winger. I'm interested to see how well Ryan Hall goes. After last year's exploits, this season will determine whether he is a good player or truly world-class.

Grand Final winners: Leeds Rhinos

Challenge Cup winners: Hull FC

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Ryan Hall (Leeds)

Robbie Paul

Lance Todd Trophy winner

I HAVE always been hesitant in talking up Warrington in the past but I saw enough of them against us at Leigh the other week to see they could challenge with Tony Smith in charge.

They have added to an already star-studded squad with Richard Myler, David Solomona and Ryan Atkins but will too many cooks spoil the broth?

It will be hard to see anyone beating Leeds again to the title.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Leeds

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Richard Myler (Warrington)

Chris Caisley

Former Bradford Bulls chairman

I suspect the Rhinos will win the title again because of the advantage they have over other Super League clubs being where they are in such a vibrant and wealthy city as Leeds along with their ability to attract young talent due to their geographical location.

They have the firm foundations at Headingley that Bradford Bulls had a few years ago and I believe it will be a struggle for the rest of the competition to keep pace this season.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Minor Premiers: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: Bradford

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Kyle Eastmond (St Helens)

Paul Sculthopre

Former Great Britain captain

I'M hoping for a repeat of the last three Grand Finals – just with a different result. Leeds are still the team everyone has to bring down but Bradford are a lot stronger with Matt Orford, and Warrington will be a different team again having had a full pre-season under Tony Smith and with their new signings. It will be fascinating to see how Saints go with Kyle Eastmond leading the team – Sia Soliola is an exciting capture.

Grand Final winners: Leeds

Challenge Cup winners: St Helens

Minor Premiers: Leeds Rhinos

Strugglers: Crusaders

One to watch: Sam Tomkins (Wigan)