As of right now, the recruitment window for 2026 is live. Clubs can start signing players for the season after the next one as part of new rules that have put clubs in a tricky predicament of trying to plan for one campaign before the more pressing one has even begun.

As such, there are a lot of players who are now essentially on the open market and free to sign elsewhere. Naturally, there will be plenty of players who will attract interest. Here, we've picked out 20 players who we anticipate will be the most coveted as it stands.

Denive Balmforth (Hull FC)
Clubs are always on the lookout for young domestic talent, and so it's inevitable that the hooker will be considered as an option by some clubs. Still only 21, Balmforth has amassed some top-flight experience now and showed some encouraging signs in a struggling Hull FC side. He's not the complete package yet, but there will be clubs out there who believe they can help him fulfil his potential.

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Joe Batchelor (St Helens)
A bit of a spoiler here, but expect to see a lot of domestic forwards in this list. They are at a premium, so any off-contract will attract interest. Batchelor, an England international, will not be short of suitors if he wants to test the open market.

James Bell (St Helens)
Sticking with Saints, Bell has proven himself to be a dependable performer in the red vee and that won't have gone unnoticed. He is a quota player, which may be a sticking point for some, but he won't be without offers.

Liam Byrne (Wigan Warriors)
Head coach Matt Peet has shut down talk of an early departure but the Wigan and Ireland prop is now free to speak to other clubs for 2026 onwards. As a young British prop with experience of winning trophies, he will have plenty of options.

Jordy Crowther (Warrington Wolves)
Crowther's stock has increased considerably after moving to Warrington Wolves after proving his worth in Sam Burgess' side. With a great engine and defensive work, he is 27 and in his prime years.

Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos)
Last season was a frustrating one for the Leeds prop, who missed the majority of the season due to concussion complications. He's back now, and it's a huge year, not only to make up for lost time but the fact he is off-contract too. He will command huge interest if he can rediscover his form.

Edwin Ipape (Leigh Leopards)
No real need to justify this entry. Ipape is one of the best players in Super League and would improve most teams on the planet. There is believed to be an option in his contract to extend the deal.

Adam Keighran (Wigan Warriors)
The centre has openly discussed his future recently, stating he is open to exploring his options now he can speak to clubs. A good attacking threat and a competent goal-kicker too, he has a Grand Final ring and has had two impressive seasons in Super League now.

Toby King (Warrington Wolves)
The 28-year-old was highly chased when his last contract was expiring. He's likely to be wanted again this time around. King has had two good seasons, winning a Grand Final with Wigan and then earning an England recall following his performances for Warrington this year. A solid Super League performer.

Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Rarely do players as good as Knowles come on the market and the fact he has does raise some suspicion about what the future may hold. That said, a move to an NRL club feels far more likely than a switch elsewhere in Super League.

Lachlan Lam (Leigh Leopards)
He was part of the biggest mid-season transfer saga before finally signing a new deal with Leigh. He is off contract again though, and it should come as no surprise if speculation surrounding the Lance Todd Trophy winner emerges again. A top talent.

Matty Lees (St Helens)
The England prop is among the best in his position; he's still only 26 and he comes at a premium price given the lack of British middles on the market. The forward, wherever he ends up, will command a major contract.

James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos)
McDonnell has established himself as a dependable back-rower during his time at Headingley and will be of extra significance to the Rhinos this season given Rhyse Martin has departed. He's still only 24 too, so expect plenty to cast their eye towards him.

Rowan Milnes (Castleford Tigers)
Last season was a big one for Milnes, who was given the opportunity to play weekly in Super League and take control of a team. He found some form in the summer and came up with some big moments for the Tigers. He's still only 25 and has plenty of improvement in him yet.

Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Another England international, Oledzki is a grafter and plays big minutes. He has size too, and when you consider what we've said about British middles, it's almost certain that he will have offers being thrown at him. For a 26-year-old he has heaps of experience too, having played over 150 times for the Rhinos.

Tevita Pangai Jnr (Catalans Dragons)
It blew the minds of many that Catalans were able to sign a player of such calibre. He's technically free to negotiate terms with other clubs now too. Given he has wreaked havoc in the NRL, and is still only 28, clubs will have no hesitation in making the move for him if they have the cap space to do so.

Josh Rourke (Wakefield Trinity)
Not many people will have known about Rourke this time last year, having just signed for Batley Bulldogs from Whitehaven. However, he eventually signed for London Broncos and after a serious injury at the start of the season, he took Super League by storm. The fullback scored eight tries in 12 games for the Broncos after his return from injury and he appears to be a very tidy pick-up for Wakefield. He is, however, only on a one-year contract. Watch this space.

Sauaso Sue (Hull KR)
Only those who watched Hull KR regularly know how important the prop is to their success. He went under the radar often last year, but Sue really set a platform for Rovers early in games and would be a strong addition for almost every club.

Paul Vaughan (Warrington Wolves)
His future has been the subject of speculation this off-season and now he's free to negotiate elsewhere, it is to be expected that it will be a matter of discussion moving forward. A top player who has proven himself on both sides of the globe.

Matt Whitley (St Helens)
It's difficult to see Whitley leaving Saints but it doesn't stop a rival club trying, and having proven himself to be an uber-reliable performer for top-half Super League clubs, it's almost guaranteed that someone will test the waters.

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