The final push: Assessing Super League's play-off contenders
With nine rounds remaining, there is precious little room for error as seven clubs battle for the six play-off places in Super League.
Every point, every slip and every head-to-head encounter carries extra weight in the final third of the regular season.
While some are chasing the League Leaders' Shield, others are simply fighting to ensure they do not miss the cut.
Here, The Yorkshire Post assesses the runners and riders in the race to Old Trafford.
1. Leeds Rhinos (30 points, +366 points difference)
Brad Arthur's side effectively hold a five-point advantage at the summit, leaving the Headingley club on course for their first Super League trophy in nine years.
The Rhinos still have work to do to secure the League Leaders' Shield but this is their best chance to go a step further and claim a ninth title since the end of their golden era.
Arthur has transformed Leeds into a well-oiled machine, with 12 wins from their last 13 games reflecting the standards he has instilled.
The next challenge is to show they possess the big-game mentality that has been missing in recent years in do-or-die rugby.
2. Wigan Warriors (26 points, +176 points difference)
Wigan's four-match losing streak is a distant memory after an emphatic response from the fallen champions.
Written off by some back in April, the Warriors have emphatically reasserted themselves with 10 wins from their last 11 games. Their only defeat during that run came with a youthful outfit the week before the Challenge Cup final.
They have shown this season that they are not immune to the occasional dip but no team in Super League has a higher ceiling than Matt Peet's side.
One thing is for certain, Wigan will provide formidable opposition in the play-offs.
3. Wakefield Trinity (26 points, +163 points difference)
The idea of Wakefield rubbing shoulders with the heavyweights of Super League would have been scoffed at only three years ago but they are a club transformed under owner Matt Ellis.
From the moment Trinity dropped into the Championship, Ellis has shown limitless ambition and Daryl Powell is translating that vision into results on the field.
Wakefield confirmed their arrival as genuine title contenders with a statement victory at Hull KR, leaving the Belle Vue club well placed to secure the first top-four finish in their Super League history.
After watching Hull KR shatter the glass ceiling last year, Trinity are showing the qualities required to become the next new name on the trophy. The true test, however, awaits in the play-offs.
4. Warrington Wolves (24 points, +144 points difference)
If Wakefield's top-six place appears relatively secure, Warrington are among the clubs looking over their shoulder.
Sam Burgess' men were top of the table only a month ago but are now on the slide and face a significant character test.
While they could rightly point to injuries, Warrington carry more mental baggage than any of their rivals.
'It's always your year' has become the soundtrack to many a Wire collapse and there will be fears this season is going the same way.
5. Hull KR (22 points, +233 points difference)
Rovers have already suffered more defeats than they did throughout the entire 2025 regular season and must find some inspiration from somewhere to keep their title defence alive.
KR are a shadow of the team that swept the board last year after moving away from the qualities that made them so successful.
From being methodical and dominant most weeks, it is suddenly hard to know what to expect from the ragged and jaded Robins.
They could yet come good but there are worrying signs for the champions.
6. Leigh Leopards (22 points, +54 points difference)
Adrian Lam's side faced a long road to the top six after losing five of their opening seven games but they broke into the play-off positions over the weekend and look well set for another post-season campaign.
Leigh have lost to only Hull KR since early April and can look forward to six more home fixtures between now and the end of the regular season.
But for their form spike, the play-off line-up would already be settled; thanks to the Leopards, a fascinating top-six race is in store.
7. St Helens (22 points, +32 points difference)
Leigh broke into the top six courtesy of St Helens' 46-0 home drubbing at the hands of Toulouse Olympique.
Make no mistake, this was a disastrous result for Saints that could define their season.
The 10-time Super League champions are now at serious risk of missing out on the play-offs for the first time in Super League history.
St Helens looked the most vulnerable play-off contender before the weekend and cannot afford many more slip-ups if they are to maintain their proud record.