Ranking every Super League club's opening five fixtures with tough start for some

Super League 2023 is just around the corner. The opening weeks will be key to setting the benchmark. Every fixture is given a difficulty rating based on two factors: whether the game is at home or away, and the league position of the opponent. Salford Red Devils have the "easier" early rounds. Wakefield are tipped to be fighting relegation with Leigh Leopards. Tony Smith's Hull FC and Lee Radford's Castleford Tigers also face tough starts.

The formula for ranking Super League's opening five fixtures has been used. Red Devils play four of last year's bottom five teams in their first five games. Catalans play three teams who didn't make the play-offs and newly promoted Leigh in the first 5 games of the season. Huddersfield have four home games to begin with. Grand Finalists start their campaign on the road away to Warrington. Robins play Wigan, Salford, Leigh and Warringdon. Dragons play Wakefield, Hull FC, Wigans and St Helens. The formula is based on home-field advantage, away-time points and difficulty.