Super League Power Rankings: Who's on the up and who's feeling down ...

Ahead of the opening round, treble winners Leeds Rhinos were rightly at the top of the tree but, after their defeat at home to Warrington, you can see – not surprisingly – that they have been replaced at the summit.

Where does Hull FC’s terrific opening win leave them in our rankings?

And who is left feeling sorry for themselves and with plenty of work to do as they sit at the bottom of the pile?

1) St Helens (+1)

Moved up a place following a solid opening night win over top-four Huddersfield Giants.

It was a potentially difficult start but one they handled comfortably and, being quickly back in action at badly beaten Salford on Thursday, Keiron Cunningham’s side have first chance to maintain their spot at the top of the Yorkshire Post Power Rankings for Round Three.

Furthermore, any side that can wheel out forward giants Alex Walmsley and Andre Savelio off the bench, is a real force to be reckoned with.

2) Hull FC (+3)

For an hour against Salford, Hull looked like the side they have always promised they’d be - powerful, fast and with no little guile, too.

Fell off a bit in the final quarter but a comprehensive 42-20 win was the biggest victory of the opening weekend, all their big signings performed and they could be further bolstered by the imminent return of Gareth Ellis from injury.

Saturday’s trip to Catalans Dragons will be an early test of whether Hull are to be taken seriously or just offering another false dawn.

3) Warrington Wolves (+3)

Winning at the champions on the first night of Super League is good in anyone’s book but for Warrington, considering how much defence they had to produce, that win at Leeds Rhinos was really terrific.

They were aided - Rhinos’ Zak Hardaker missed a late penalty that would have drawn the game and the hosts lost captain Danny McGuire to injury in the first half - but, nevertheless, Tony Smith’s side deserve great credit for their steeliness.

With Hull KR arriving on Sunday, they will be confident of quickly making it two from two - and avenging last year’s Challenge Cup semi-final defeat against the Robins.

4) Wigan Warriors (-1)

Picked up an opening win but were made to work hard for it by Catalans and didn’t have it all their own way.

Micky McIllorum’s two tries were a rare treat for the England hooker who will look to make the most of Huddersfield’s injury woe when they head to John Smith’s Stadium on Friday night.

5) Leeds Rhinos (-4)

A big drop from first to fifth for Leeds in the Yorkshire Post Power Rankings and not just because of their home defeat to Warrington Wolves.

That was the first time they had lost on Super League’s opening day since 2000 but it came at a cost, too.

The loss of captain Danny McGuire for up to eight weeks with a knee injury is a savage blow as they start their defence of the title - and with the World Club Challenge looming at the end of the month.

6) Castleford Tigers (-2)

Another side to drop down the Rankings, Castleford avoided defeat at Hull KR but it won’t have felt like it.

They had to watch on helplessly as Josh Mantellato nailed a touchline conversion after the final hooter to secure a 16-16 draw.

Castleford had been in control but imploded and, like Leeds, lost their captain Michael Shenton to what could be a serious knee injury. Big derby with Wakefield this week.

7) Catalans Dragons (+1)

Bizarrely go up a place despite losing but that illustrates how competitive they were at Wigan, losing just 12-6, and perhaps hinting that their long-standing travel ills might be about to turn.

Their home game against Hull FC will be another tough test of their credentials given the Airlie Birds’ first-up win against Salford.

But how will Catalans deal with the loss of Paul Aiton, the gifted hooker who tore a biceps on his debut after joining from Leeds Rhinos?

8) Huddersfield Giants (-1)

Lost at St Helens and suffered more injury problems with captain Danny Brough joining the likes of Joe Wardle, Craig Huby, Kyle Wood and Luke Robinson on the sidelines due to injury.

Former Bradford Bulls winger Jamie Foster has trained with them today on trial and there is talk of a loan deal for Hull FC’s Curtis Naughton but head coach Paul Anderson might need more than those two.

Wigan Warriors arrive on Friday - the side that eviscerated them in last season’s play-off semi-final.

9) Widnes Vikings (+2)

It was only daft rhetoric people talking about their opener at Wakefield as a “relegation battle” but you can see the gist; under the new format, teams who tend to struggle have to pick up wins as soon as possible so it was crucial for Widnes to get off to a victorious start as they did.

Their new signings went well, particularly Chris Houston who was barely off the plane from Australia, and they will look to catch Leeds Rhinos while the champions are still in disarray this Sunday.

At home and Leeds without Danny McGuire means they will fancy their chances.

10) Hull KR (+2)

Celebrated like they had won, not drawn, but that shows how much the 16-16 draw - secured in the last minute - against Castleford meant to Hull KR.

After a disastrous pre-season, defeat would have placed huge pressure on Chris Chester.

He deserved a slice of luck and got it. They might get captain Terry Campese back for Warrington this weekend which would be another shot in the arm.

11) Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (-2)

Some positive signs in the 24-16 home defeat to Widnes, not least their spirit having been 18-4 down at the break, but still a loss.

Brian Smith took heart from many aspects of their performance but knows they must cut errors out or Castleford - their hosts on Sunday - will certainly make them pay again.

12) Salford Red Devils (-2)

Awful at times at Hull with some really poor defensive errors.

Showed character to hit back with a couple of tries when down to 12 men but the game was lost by then.

Ian Watson already in the firing line and St Helens next up. Ouch.