Dave Woods BBC rugby league correspondent looks ahead to 2003

FUTURE STARS

Sean O'Loughlin

Ones to watch

Sean O'Loughlin Danny Maguire

Keep your eyes on this Wigan youngster. His pedigree is impeccable, and with youth being given its chance at the JJB Stadium this year, his talents should come shining through.

Danny Maguire
The most important young player in any side is likely to be Danny Maguire at Leeds.

He'll be given his head at Headingley this time and, depending on how he responds, could have a big influence on whether Leeds succeed next year.

But there is a clutch of other exciting players coming through - witness the successful A tour to Fiji and Tonga and the even more impressive Academy Test series win over Australia.

PREDICTIONS

Relegation candidate?

Top tips

Halifax to go down Hull to impress Bradford to win Super League

Let's start with the grim reality of failure, and predict who will be relegated from the Super League.

In the words of Anne Robinson - whose Sox will not be pulled up? Who are many bricks short of a fully-built stadium?

No more clues, it's Halifax.

They have stripped off their Blue Sox and thrown them into the laundry basket.

Sadly, the club is heading the same way, despite reverting to their traditional name.

The only hope Halifax have of survival next year is through their excellent young coach Tony Anderson.

But even he must be wondering why he ever left Hull.

The club seems to be in terminal decline, with more players going than coming. They could struggle to win more than a couple of games next year.

Team to watch
You'd be daft to look too far beyond the usual suspects when it comes to collecting the top silverware next season.

McRae could be in for a good season at Hull FC

But there could be some realistic challengers from outside the big three or four

Warrington should be a club with renewed focus under Paul Cullen. He's undoubtedly the man for the job at Wilderspool, and they should have a much improved season - top six finish for them.

This could be Hull's year though. The new stadium could be the catalyst for the breakthrough that they have been promising for the last few years.

If Shaun McRae gets the right man as his assistant to replace the talented Tony Anderson, then watch them go.

Trophy tips
It's difficult to look past Bradford as Super League champions.

They will be further buoyed by their return to Odsal, their spiritual home.

For all the reasons I outlined earlier, I can see either Warrington or Hull making it to the Millennium Stadium for the final.

POTENTIAL SHOCK

Ashes surprise
Please, please, please can we finally beat the Aussies in the Ashes series? If David Waite's side can win next Autumn it would be a massive boost to the British game.

And that is not as far fetched as it would have seemed only a couple of months ago.