Super League’s battle for the play-offs appears set to come down to seven teams, with Hull KR firmly in the scrap as the 2026 regular season enters its final stage.
The reigning champions currently sit sixth, level on 24 points with St Helens immediately below them, although Willie Peters’ side have a game in hand against Warrington Wolves to be played next month.
Two of Hull KR’s remaining regular-season opponents currently occupy a top-six spot – Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors – before the Robins travel to St Helens in the final round in what could prove a decisive showdown at the BrewDog Stadium.
Hull KR have yet to hit the heights they reached in 2025, despite winning the World Club Challenge to complete a historic quadruple at the start of the year.
Five of their remaining eight fixtures will be played at Sewell Group Craven Park, handing Rovers a significant advantage, although their 11-match home winning streak was ended earlier this month by Wakefield Trinity in a 20-6 defeat.
Bradford Bulls, Catalans Dragons, Warrington Wolves, Toulouse Olympique and Huddersfield Giants are all still to visit east Hull, while away trips to Castleford Tigers, Wigan Warriors and St Helens also complete their run-in.
Below them, St Helens face a turbulent finish to the campaign following the shock departure of head coach Paul Rowley less than a year into the role. Assistant coach Eamon O’Carroll has taken interim charge before he leaves to begin his move to rugby union.
On paper, Saints have the toughest run-in of any play-off contender, with four matches against current top-six sides – Wakefield Trinity, Leeds Rhinos, Leigh Leopards and Hull KR. They also face York Knights, Hull FC and Castleford Tigers.
Adrian Lam’s Leigh, who sit two points ahead of Hull KR, have three remaining fixtures against fellow play-off holders, beginning with local rivals Wigan before meetings with Leeds and Wakefield. Five of Leigh’s final seven games will be played at the Leigh Sports Village, while St Helens have four home fixtures remaining.
Leigh and St Helens will also meet in the penultimate round of the regular season at the start of September at the Leigh Sports Village.
Alongside Hull KR, Warrington on paper have one of the most favourable run-ins. Sam Burgess’ side are due to face only two teams currently inside the top six ahead of Round 21 – Hull KR and Wakefield. After missing out on the play-offs last season, the Wolves are still to face Castleford Tigers, Bradford Bulls, York Knights, Huddersfield Giants, Hull FC and Toulouse Olympique for a second time this year.
At the top of the table, Leeds Rhinos remain in first place, although their League Leaders’ Shield bid suffered a setback following a surprise Round 19 defeat at Castleford. Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors sit just two points behind, with all three clubs looking well placed to secure play-off qualification. That leaves four teams battling for the remaining three places in the top six.
Play-off run-in
Warrington Wolves remaining fixtures: Castleford Tigers (A), Bradford Bulls (A), York Knights (H), Hull KR (A), Huddersfield Giants (H), Hull FC (A), Wakefield Trinity (A), Toulouse Olympique (H)
Leigh Leopards remaining fixtures: Wigan Warriors (H), York Knights (H), Leeds Rhinos (A), Bradford Bulls (H), Huddersfield Giants (A), St Helens (H), Wakefield Trinity (H)
Hull KR remaining fixtures: Bradford Bulls (H), Castleford Tigers (A), Catalans Dragons (H), Warrington Wolves (H), Toulouse Olympique (H), Wigan Warriors (A), Huddersfield Giants (H), St Helens (A)
St Helens remaining fixtures: York Knights (A), Hull FC (H), Wakefield Trinity (A), Castleford Tigers (A), Leeds Rhinos (H), Leigh Leopards (A), Hull KR (H)