Wigan Warriors sink, Warrington Wolves newly involved in Power Rankings

Every week this season, He loves rugby League will bring you the Power Rankings, ranking the top 10 clubs in the British game who we believe have the most momentum behind them.

The 35 clubs from Super League, Championship and League 1 are all in the process of being involved, with only performance on the pitch affecting the rankings (we’re not IMG!).

The latest campaign top 10 is below, with all competitive games so far taken into account.

For Super League clubs, this is their performance in the 18 rounds so far and in the Challenge Cup.

Meanwhile, the Championship and League One seasons began in March and clubs in those divisions had already played matches in the 1895 Cup and Challenge Cup this year and before.

For reference, last week’s power rankings are here.

Without further ado, the Loves Rugby League Power ranking (22/07/2024)…

10. York (BOTTOM 4)

Mark Applegarth turned York’s season around but they were beaten for just the third time in their last nine games with a 36-28 defeat at Odsal against Bradford Bulls on Sunday afternoon. The Knights are 9th on the Championship ladder, but with 10 games to play, they sit just two points off the top six and the play-off places as a result.

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9. Castleford Tigers (NEW)

After away wins at St Helens and London Broncos, Craig Lingard’s Castleford made it three wins on the spin as they beat Catalans Dragons 24-18 at The Jungle on Sunday afternoon. We’re pretty sure this is their first inclusion in our power rankings this season, and it’s well-deserved. The Tigers’ task now is simply to keep winning.

8. Bradford Bulls (UP 2)

After last weekend’s loss to Wakefield, Eamon O’Carroll’s Bradford bounced back with that win at home against York to keep their grip on the race for 2nd place. The Bulls’ only defeat in their last seven games is that against league leaders Trinity and now have just two defeats in their last 10 league games.

7. Rochdale Hornets (-)

Rochdale are the only team to have kept the same place in this week’s table since the last edition. The Hornets beat the Midlands Hurricanes 14-10 on Sunday, a first win in three to extend their run to just two defeats in 11. The Hornets are 4th in the League One table and have now opened up a gap of five points for 5, which is occupied – coincidentally – by hurricanes.

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6. Wakefield Trinity (BOTTOM 4)

We didn’t see this coming, but Wakefield’s 100% record in the Championship this term is no more. Daryl Powell’s side were beaten 32-4 in France by Toulouse Olympique on Saturday afternoon. No need to hit the panic button that’s for sure with a seven point lead at the top of the table. Food for thought for those behind the scenes at Belle Vue, though.

5. Wigan Warriors (BOTTOM 4)

The Super League leaders were also beaten for the first time in a long time this weekend, with Wigan losing 24-22 at Hull FC on Saturday afternoon in a considerably worse performance than the close score suggests. Matt Peet’s side have seen their lead at the top of the table cut to two points, although the Warriors have a game in hand.

4. Warrington Wolves (NEW)

The team directly behind Wigan on the ladder are now Warrington, whose new determined nature came to the fore again in their 24-10 win at St Helens on Friday night. Prop James Harrison was red-carded on 20 minutes and back-rower Matty Nicholson was also booked in the second half, but Sam Burgess’ side found a way to claim a fourth straight win.

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3. Hull KR (UP 2)

KR are officially 3rd on points difference and sit 3rd in these standings but have the same number of points in the competition (26) as Warrington after their 20-12 win at Headingley against Leeds Rhinos on Saturday afternoon. Willie Peters’ side have lost just one of their last seven, and that loss came in Golden Point extra time against the Catalans. Robins are in great shape.

2. Toulouse Olympique (UP 2)

French side Toulouse also move up a couple of places in our power rankings after their eye-catching home win against Wakefield. Getting your first league win against Trinity is one thing, but to do it in the style that Olympique did is simply remarkable. It’s now a run of just one defeat in 12 for Sylvain Houles’ men – and that defeat came at Belle Vue.

It’s worth noting that Saturday’s win, coupled with a defeat to Sheffield on Sunday, saw Toulouse leapfrog the Eagles into 2nd place on the Championship ladder. With 10 games to go, it’s all about finishing there now.

1. Oldham (UP 2)

🎶 The Yeds are throwing a party!#RugbyLeague pic.twitter.com/2E5AYGGRXv

— Oldham RLFC (@Roughyeds) July 21, 2024

Sunday was the day Oldham have been waiting for, a chance to exact revenge on Keighley and open a gap between themselves and the Cougars at the top of the League One table in the process. The Roughyeds played host to Boundary Park and executed boss Sean Long’s game plan to perfection to claim a monumental 44-6 victory.

The win moves Long’s side three points clear of their title rivals, who they face once more before the end of the campaign. Pole position for promotion is now well and truly theirs after winning 13 of their first 14 games in the third tier this term.

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