THERE may be new sponsors, six new coaches and seven new captains but it would be a surprise if Stobart Super League XVII throws up any change to the old order.

Warrington and Wigan, who finished well clear of the field in 2011 before failing in the play-offs, are once more expected to set the pace, with last year’s Grand Finalists Leeds and St Helens likely to make up the top four.

Huddersfield might once more have a say in that, but the club most likely to make the breakthrough in 2012 could be Catalan Dragons under the astute coaching of Trent Robinson.

The French club made a slow start last season, losing four of their first five matches as the team adjusted to the demands of their new coach, but they finished strongly to secure a sixth-place finish.

Now settled under the 2011 Coach of the Year, the Dragons could make a concerted push for Old Trafford, especially if new signing Leon Pryce can stay clear of injury and they improve their form at home, where they won just seven of 13 games last season.

Second-rower Louis Anderson is Robinson’s other major recruit but Warrington look to have an adequate replacement in Trent Waterhouse, a ball-handling former Australia Test forward who should slot seamlessly into Tony Smith’s attacking style of rugby.

The Wolves have taken a gamble by arriving back from their Australian training camp just six days before their first game and they will be weakened by injuries in the opening weeks, but they are worthy favourites to reach a maiden Grand Final.

New Wigan coach Shaun Wane has a hard act to follow as he begins his dream job and it is not made any easier by the departure of a number of experienced players, although there is still enough class to ensure a successful season for the Warriors.

St Helens can offset the loss of Pryce and Kyle Eastmond, last year’s first-choice half-backs who made little impact due to injury, but they could struggle to plug the hole created by the departure of James Graham.

Saints have signed Anthony Laffranchi and will no doubt get more out of Josh Perry, who had a wretched first season in England, but if any player is irreplaceable then it is the inspirational Graham.

However, the vastly-experienced Lance Hohaia is a shrewd acquisition who can help young half-backs Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell realise their potential, and Saints will have home comforts at their splendid new Langtree Park after spending 2011 as tenants at Widnes.

Defending champions Leeds must offset the loss of Danny Buderus but, after their heroics of 2011, the Rhinos can never be written off, while Huddersfield will be aiming to send coach Nathan Brown back to Australia on a high note.

Both Hull clubs are sure to be competitive under new coaches, although Rovers have suffered two devastating injury blows with the loss of last year’s Player of the Year Blake Green and new captain Ben Galea to injury for at least the first two months.

The big improvers in 2012 ought to be London Broncos, who are pushing the boat out by spending up to the salary cap following their rebranding and acquiring a host of experienced players.

After spending his entire coaching career in England on the west of the Pennines, Ian Millward will be hoping to make an impression at Castleford, but he will be hampered by having to operate on a shoestring budget.

As with St Helens, Salford will be hoping to gain a boost from moving into a new stadium, while Widnes will simply be aiming to win a few games in their first season back in the top flight.

The Vikings’ hefty close-season recruitment has been surpassed only by Wakefield, who will be an unknown quantity under new coach Richard Agar after making no fewer than 18 new signings.

Click on next page for our team by team breakdown of Super League XVII