Thursday 4 February 2016 11:12, UK
With the opening round of Super League XXI fast approaching, Jon Wells takes a look at the top five potential game changers for 2016.
In compiling his top five, Jon looked at both the player's individual ability but perhaps more importantly the way in which they will effect positive change for the team they has joined.
Here's who made the cut ahead of the new season...
5. Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors)
Beaten Grand Finalists for the last two seasons, the return of Tomkins is a massive boost for Wigan. Notwithstanding Matty Bowen's superb contribution to the Warriors during that period, I think that you will see a better developed player returning to his hometown club in 2016 despite differing opinions of his success or otherwise in the NRL.
Sam's time in Australia will have undoubtedly made him a better player. It was clear from watching him in his time at the New Zealand Warriors that he has developed into a fine defensive fullback which was perhaps his least strong point (in a whole list of strong points) as a modern-day attacking number 1. Add to that 15 try assists in his 37 game spell with the NRL outfit and a clearer picture emerges of what Tomkins will be bringing back with him to the UK.
He's a class act, this is his club, and from a competitive perspective there will not be a head coach in Super League who will enjoy seeing his name at the head of the Wigan team sheet this year. People are expecting big things; and I reckon he'll deliver.
4. Ryan Hampshire (Castleford Tigers)
In my opinion, the sky's the limit for the Warriors loanee Hampshire. The return of Tomkins and the continued development of Lewis Tierney and in particular George Williams and his burgeoning partnership with Matty Smith means Wigan's loss for 2016 is very much Castleford's gain.
Luke Gale is nailed on for the No 7 jersey this season but the Tigers tinkered with their stand-off position throughout 2015 with Ben Roberts and Liam Finn making the most serious claims. However, my feeling is that Roberts is best-used in the hooking role in tandem with Adam Milner. With Finn moving on to the Wildcats, Hampshire's preference and natural ability could mean a new spark for the Tigers to augment an already formidable - and much better balanced - squad for 2016.
He'll be a key player for the Tigers in their push to surpass their revolution as a major force in Super League since the arrival of Daryl Powell.
3. Frank Pritchard (Hull FC)
A devastating forward at his best, Pritchard provides huge scope for Hull FC this season. He joins them as a New Zealand and Samoan international player from Canterbury Bulldogs and one look at his highlight reel will show you all you need to know about what he can bring to a side. A huge hitter in defence and blessed with superb hands, Pritchard has the potential to spearhead this Hull FC pack who relied so heavily on Gareth Ellis and Mark Minnichiello last year. The reason the above is peppered with words such as "scope" and "potential" surrounds Pritchard's state of mind; he can be a world-beater if he is dialed into the job at hand but has mis-fired in the past.
Never has there been so much pressure on a Head Coach as there is this season to ensure his big name signing delivers. But I'm an optimist; Lee Radford is a leader - always has been; Pritchard is a winner - and still can be; and Hull FC are a massive presence in Super League.
This could be a defining season for player, coach and club.
2. Brett Ferres (Leeds Rhinos)
Off-setting the loss of Sinfield, Peacock and Leuluai was always going to be a huge challenge for the Rhinos. I use the term "off-setting" as opposed to "replacing" because I do feel - certainly in the case of Sinfield and Peacock - that these two were simply irreplaceable. The Rhinos will be keen to see the return of Liam Sutcliffe from a lengthy absence after a serious knee injury, and they have added some real grunt up front with the transfer in of Keith Galloway from Wests Tigers, but Ferres is going to be a major player for the Rhinos in 2016. His stock has risen dramatically in the last three seasons and his off-loading ability will really suit Leeds' brand of rugby.
You also have to think about what his inclusion will do to the rest of the team; I see him competing directly with the likes of Stevie Ward, Jimmy Keinhorst and Jamie Jones-Buchanan and certainly with respect to the former two I feel this can only be a positive for their continued development and to the Rhinos as a whole. To have such strength in depth in a pack which has just said goodbye to two of its mainstays and most dependable players is a huge boost and will mean the Rhinos will have selection headaches rather than selection worries at the back end of the season.
1. Glenn Stewart (Catalans Dragons)
Joins the Catalans Dragons franchise from the NRL's South Sydney Rabbitohs and brings with him a wealth of big game experience. An Australian international, Stewart may well be the missing piece of the jigsaw for the Dragons; a much-needed ball-playing forward that could really help Richie Myler and Todd Carney. He will give them options at the line which usually ended up in 2015 in Morgan Escare's hands. Escare is a fine, fine runner of the ball, but he is young and still learning the passing side of his game.
The addition of Stewart, along with a little manipulation of how the Dragons set up their attacking shape, may well help the Dragons find the space on the edge in which they excel. That would allow Escare to concentrate on what he does best and push the Perpignan based side deep into the play-offs in 2016.
He's my one to watch above all others in 2016 and could well be the catalyst which sends the Dragons into or close to a major final.
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