The Play-Off run in

With six rounds of the 2023 Betfred Super League regular season to go, the race for the Play-Offs is on. Top of the table Catalans Dragons have all but cemented their place in the top six as they push for their second League Leaders' Shield in three years. Below the Dragons, Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Leigh Leopards are all level on points in the top four, six points ahead of the chasing pack.

After that, just four points separate fifth and tenth place. Six teams are set to battle it out to secure the final two top six spots and compete in this season's Play-Offs. But who will it be?

Warrington Wolves

Form: L L L L L L

Current league position: 5th

Remaining fixtures: Rhinos (A), Hull FC (A), Tigers (H), Red Devils (A), Saints (H), Giants (A)

Warrington were a shoe in for the Play-Offs during the opening third of the season. A blistering start to 2023 saw them occupy top spot after winning their opening eight games. However, their season quickly derailed and since then, the Wolves have won just three of their last 13 games, resulting in the recent departure of head coach Daryl Powell.  

The Wolves' rapid decline has shown no signs of slowing down and their top six ambitions are under immense threat despite sitting in fifth place. On paper, Warrington have an encouraging run home, with five of their remaining six fixtures against teams below them in the league table.

However, four of Warrington's last six games are away from home - and the Wolves haven't won on the road since Round 8. Add to that a home tie against St Helens - a team that have beaten the Wolves home and away this year - and Warrington's final run in looks less than favourable.

Hull KR

Form: L W W L L W

Current league position: 6th 

Remaining fixtures: Saints (A), Leopards (H), Dragons (H), Giants (A), Red Devils (H), Trinity (A)

The Robins will be looking to bounce back in Super League after their heart-breaking Challenge Cup Final loss last weekend. But that won't be easy. Willie Peters' side face an unenviable run home, taking on three of the current top four sides in successive weeks - starting with a trip to reigning Champions, St Helens, followed by home ties against third place Leigh and top of the table Catalans.

Hull KR can ill-afford to have any sort of cup final hangover during such a pivotal part of their season. Any win over the next three weeks will give them immense confidence heading into the final three games of the regular season. And thankfully for the Robins, their destiny is in their own hands. 

Salford Red Devils

Form: L L L L L L

Current league position: 7th

Fixtures: Giants (A), Trinity (H), Warriors (A), Wolves (H), Robins (A), Dragons (H)

The Red Devils desperately need a change in fortune. Three of their last four league fixtures have seen them lose by just three points or less. Those narrow margins could be the difference between Paul Rowley's side making another late surge towards the Grand Final and missing out on the Play-Offs altogether.

Silky @SalfordDevils ?#SLCasSal pic.twitter.com/O4ogCzof3r
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 9, 2023

Recent history suggests the Red Devils are capable of breaking into the top six. Their end of season form in 2022 saw them narrowly miss out on a trip to Old Trafford after losing to the eventual Champions, St Helens, in the Play-Off Semi-Final. But they can't afford any more slip ups. They face Warrington and Hull KR during their final run in - the two sides that currently occupy the last two Play-Off spots. Wins against those two teams could significantly help their top six aspirations.

Hull FC

Form: W L W W L W

Current league position: 8th 

Fixtures: Warriors (A), Wolves (H), Rhinos (H), Tigers (A), Giants (H), Saints (A)

It's been a topsy turvy season for Hull FC. Promising results against some of the competitions powerhouses have been paired with heavy defeats in front of their home fans. Yet the Black & Whites are just two points adrift of the top six with a run of winnable games to come - albeit sandwiched between tough away trips to the Warriors and Saints.

Hull FC fans have been starved of Play-Off rugby in recent years - the Black & Whites have failed to break into the top six over the last two seasons. But with Tony Smith at the helm, you would be na?ve to write them off - Smith engineered Hull KR's Play-Off Semi-Final appearance from sixth place in 2021. Can he replicate that feat in West Hull?

Leeds Rhinos

Form: L L L W W W

Current league position: 9^th

Fixtures: Wolves (H), Giants (A), Hull FC (A), Warriors (H), Dragons (A), Tigers (H)

Last year's beaten Grand Finalists have work to do to repeat their 2022 antics. Inconsistency has wreaked havoc to the Rhinos top six hopes so far this year, but Rowan Smith's side have a track record of shaking up the competition during the latter stages of the season.

The Rhinos have only been beaten by more than 10 points twice this season. That has resulted in a +57 points difference - the best points difference of any team outside the top four. That could be crucial if the Rhinos are to make a late surge during the final six rounds and given how tight the competition has been this year, every point makes a difference.

Huddersfield Giants

Form: L W W W W L

Current league position: 10^th

Fixtures: Salford (H), Rhinos (H), Leopards (A), Robins (H), Hull FC (A), Wolves (H)

Huddersfield's recent revival has seen them creep their way back into top six contention. The Giants have won four of their last five league fixtures, spearheaded by an impressive win against League Leaders Catalans in the South of France last month.

Five of Huddersfield's last six games are against the remaining sides vying for the last two spots in the top six. Although they have a lot of work to do, if the Giants can take points from the rest of the chasing pack, it could be enough to make a late Play-Off charge.