Yorkshire Post Power Rankings: Taylor keeps Hull FC on top

Hull FC remain the team to beat as they stay top of The Yorkshire Post Power Rankings.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have slipped badly, however, falling four places after conceding 92 points in their last two games alone.

There is no change at the bottom where things just will not improve for Leeds Rhinos.

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1 Hull FC (no change): Along with Catalans, Warrington and Wigan, one of four sides to win both games over the last fortnight but certainly the most impressive of that quartet. They battled it out to defeat St Helens and then eased home against Widnes, Scott Taylor a worthy winner of Super League’s player-of-the-month award.

Showing no signs of letting up at the top of Super League and The Yorkshire Power Rankings. Friday night’s trip to second-placed Warrington Wolves has all the hallmarks of a classic.

2 Catalans (+2): Had a relatively comfortable fortnight with under-strength Hull KR visiting Perpignan and then a trip to bottom-placed Leeds so no surprise over two wins.

Nevertheless, they have overcome the loss of injured scrum-half Richie Myler with ease and continue to stride on. Expect them to stay on the right road, challenging for top spot, with another win against St Helens this weekend.

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3 Wigan (+2): Had their issues off the field with some internal wranglings which could cause them more problems later yet that has not hampered their habit of picking up wins despite not being at their best.

Were lucky to prosper at Castleford, mind, and Salford made them work hard. Hull KR could test them, too, on Friday when all eyes will be on whether John Bateman appears...

4 Warrington (+2): Tony Smith’s side ensured they stayed in touch with Hull FC at the top with an emphatic win over Leeds and then a richly-rewarding derby success at St Helens.

With Chris Sandow back fit again and Daryl Clark looking again like the player who won Man of Steel with Castleford two years ago, their attacking options are fulsome.

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Expect Tom Lineham and Joe Westerman to raise their games, too, against former club Hull on Friday.

5 Castleford (-2): Hard done by at home to Wigan, Daryl Powell’s side got back on track with a win at Huddersfield when Denny Solomona, the dazzling 22 year-old winger, continued his prolific form.

How Melbourne Storm must regret releasing him barely two years ago when still untried. Further buoyed by Luke Gale’s signing of a long-term contract, Castleford should push on further by beating Widnes on Thursday.

6 Wakefield (-4): A fortnight to forget for Super League’s big story thus far.

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Chris Chester’s impressive start as Wakefield boss came crashing to a halt with sobering back-to-back defeats of some magnitude against Salford (38-8) and Hull KR (54-16).

Heading to Huddersfield on Sunday will be a test of their mettle but with Danny Kirmond and Anthony England returning, they will be better placed to return to winning ways again.

7 Salford (+2): Thrashed Wakefield when flexing their muscles once more and pushed Wigan close, Salford do remain hard to predict.

Will fancy their chances of adding to Leeds’ misery on Friday and it would be no surprise if they prospered at Headingley.

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Not giving up on the top eight despite that points deduction.

8 Hull KR (+2): The decision to rest Terry Campese in France was vindicated as he ran the show at Wakefield in that emphatic win.

Can Rovers back it up against Wigan on Friday? Will be a big ask but if their forwards performing as they did at Wakefield, especially former Wigan player James Greenwood, the likes of Campese, Albert Kelly and Shaun Lunt could have plenty to work with again.

9 Huddersfield (-2): Just as it looked like Paul Anderson’s side would kick-start their season they backfire with successive losses.

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How they squandered a 16-0 lead at Widnes is anyone’s guess. Castleford, admittedly, were tougher opponents.

The loss of NRL signing Sebastine Ikahihifo for two months to a broken jaw suffered in only his second game since joining from St George Illawarra is a big blow.

10 St Helens (-2): What is going on at Saints? Answers on a postcard - remember those? - please to Keiron Cunningham.

Truly out of sorts. Plenty of effort at Hull but not enough guile and utterly undone by Warrington which will pain their supporters. Catalans won’t let them off the hook either.

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11 Widnes (no change): A win at last versus Huddersfield after an eight-game losing run but it has not brought them out of their rut.

Fell straight back into it with defeat against Hull and will face a tough challenge at Castleford. Still think they will slip out of the top eight at the end despite being leaders at Easter.

12 Leeds (no change): More spirit against Catalans after the debacle at Warrington but spirit alone will not be enough for Brian McDermott’s side. Zak Hardaker being placed on the transfer list is another sign of how bad things have got at Headingley. Bottom of Super League, seven successive losses and still unsure of where a win will come from.