MAN of Steel Jake Connor heads a star-studded list of Super League players who will be watching the opening round of the competition alongside the rest of us.
The 2026 competition kicks off tomorrow night at LNER Stadium when champions Hull KR visit York.
Leeds Rhino Connor will be making the trip to Leigh the following evening in a spectating capacity, having succumbed to a knee injury.
Several players with starting 13 squad numbers at the Rhinos are missing, Connor joined by prop Mikolaj Oledzki (ribs), winger Maika Sivo (knee), forward Keenan Palasia (knee), centre Ash Handley and lock Cameron Smith (both groin).
George Brown, who impressed at fullback against Widnes last week, will start in the halves alongside Brodie Croft.
Huddersfield, away to Catalans on Friday, will be without halfback Adam Clune and utility back Nial Evalds because of calf injuries.
And Bradford, back in the big time after 12 years, will be without playmaker Jayden Nikorima against Hull on Saturday while winger Ethan Ryan (ribs) is in doubt.
“Jayden’s got a calf strain – he will probably be out for about six weeks,” said Bulls coach Kurt Haggerty.
“Jayden was Wednesday (last week). He actually made a line break at training, boom boom, and we actually got a scan on the same day, in the evening.”
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