Super League latest rankings: Wildcats move off the bottom

Huddersfield Giants and Catalans Dragons both find themselves heading up the table despite not having played a game while top three Hull FC, Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers all hold their places without even kicking a ball in anger.

That is mainly down to the trio of Super League clubs who failed spectacularly in the World Club Series - Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and St Helens - along with Widnes Vikings and stricken Hull KR both succumbing to defeats while Wakefield Trinity are off the bottom courtesy of their hard-earned 14-12 triumph at Rovers.

But Salford Red Devils are the biggest movers, shooting up four places after backing up their win against Saints with another victory over Widnes. Are Salford, then, the real deal...?

1) Hull FC (Unmoved)

A fascinating game lies in store for Hull - who are two from two - when Castleford Tigers arrive on Thursday night. This will be a true test of their early season form; if Lee Radford’s side are serious about a top four challenge, they must overcome talented teams like Castleford at home.

2) Warrington (Unmoved)

Warrington will be confident of securing three wins from three when Wakefield arrive at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday even taking into account the Wildcats’ gutsy first victory of the season at Hull KR.

Will be a big game for prop Anthony England on his first return to Wolves since switching clubs over the winter but the home side - with Australians Kurt Gidley and Chris Sandow forming a fine half-back partnership - will sense they have a real opportunity to crack on further.

3) Castleford (Unmoved)

Castleford got up and running against Wakefield and will have had 10 days to prepare for Thursday’s trip to unbeaten Hull FC. Daryl Powell’s side will be wary of the form of their former half-back Marc Sneyd but the head coach insists there is much more to come from his own side. And how will Ben Crooks fare upon his return to the KC?

4) Salford Red Devils (Up four)

Having annihilated Saints, Salford also surged into a 22-0 lead at the weekend against a Widnes side that had hammered Leeds the week before.

They got nervy as Widnes rallied back to 22-20 but got home in the end to show that Saints win was no fluke. Wigan away on Thursday and a Warriors side intent on responding after their abject loss against Brisbane Broncos will, though, be a real test of Ian Watson’s aspiring team.

5) Huddersfield Giants (up one)

One of those clubs who bizarrely move up despite having no game but the rest will certainly have done their depleted squad the world of good before they resume action against Widnes on Sunday.

That is an eminently winnable game for Paul Anderson’s side as they seek a first victory of the campaign.

Former Huddersfield stand-off Kevin Brown will, no doubt, tease and torment but the Giants will hope home advantage can see them claim that first scalp.

6) St Helens (Down two)

Things are just getting worse for Keiron Cunningham’s hapless side. Massacred by Salford and then by Sydney Roosters, too, in embarrassing fashion during the World Club Series.

They will be thankful of going to struggling Hull KR on Friday, a side that has yet to win any of their three opening games. But Rovers do have a good recent record against Saints at Craven Park…

7) Widnes Vikings (down two)

Many saw their game against Salford Red Devils as the best fixture of the weekend, including the World Club Series, but woeful Widnes got badly caught in the traps and trailed 22-0 after just 32 minutes.

That raised all the old questions about their mentality and they now face a tricky examination at a Huddersfield side who are desperate and will sense weakness.

8) Wigan Warriors

If losing so heavily against Brisbane Broncos was not bad enough - Wigan shipped 42 points - they also had to contend with the loss of England hooker Michael McIlorum with a suspected broken ankle.

England scrum-half Matty Smith is doubtful for Thursday’s visit from Salford, too, so Shaun Wane’s side are heading down the rankings.

9) Catalans Dragons (up one)

Up a place without taking to the field, Catalans must be huge favourites to overcome winless Leeds in Perpignan on Saturday.

That is because not only do they have to atone for that dismal 38-10 home defeat to Hull FC last time out - not many teams inflict that sort of damage at the Stade Gilbert Brutus and it will have hurt their pride - but also as faltering champions Rhinos are in such an utter mess early doors with three successive defeats and low on numbers.

10 ) Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (up two)

Dug out a gritty win at Hull KR to finally get their season moving, it was built on some inspired defence and character.

Brian Smith’s men duly move up the rankings two places after their sterling efforts in east Hull and, with the confidence that 14-12 success garnered, will at least hope to be similarly competitive at Warrington on Friday.

11) Leeds Rhinos (down two)

Injury-ravaged Leeds are bottom of Super League so can not complain being so close to the basement of the rankings, too.

The treble-winners were competitive and driven for the first half of their World Club Challenge against North Queensland Cowboys which finished 4-4 but were then completely over-run by the rampant Aussies to leave them with three successive losses since last year’s Grand Final glory.

For all they have a good record in France, the last thing they now need is a trip to Catalans especially with prop Mitch Garbutt starting a two-game ban for his red card after punching James Tamou in the WCC.

12) Hull KR (down one)

If they are to avoid being dragged into the relegation dogfight, Rovers have to win games such as Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at home. They did not and already look in danger.

Still seeking a first win of the season and already down on numbers, they now also have major doubts over Liam Salter, Chris Clarkson, Albert Kelly and Ben Cockayne for Friday’s visit from St Helens after they all endured injury problems against Wakefield.

Captain and playmaker Terry Campese cannot return from his own injury soon enough.