Super League captains get ready for the new season in London
Leeds Rhinos will begin their bid for a fourth Super League title in a row when they take on Crusaders on Friday.
The Rhinos beat St Helens 18-10 in last October's showdown at Old Trafford and coach Brian McClennan insists his side are motivated to continue their run.
"We're in better shape in every way, physically and mentally and all sorts of ways," he said.
"Last year, I think we were a little bit hungover. This year there seems to be a stronger sense of purpose."
The Rhinos start their Super League XV campaign a week early because of their involvement in next month's World Club Challenge against the Melbourne Storm.
The weekend's other game sees Wakefield travel to Harlequins while there will be a full programme from 5-7 February with all 14 clubs in action as they start the road to October's Grand Final at Old Trafford.
McClennan has added Brett Delaney and World Cup winner Greg Eastwood to an already strong squad and they face a new-look Welsh side with former Great Britain, Bradford and Wigan coach Brian Noble in charge.
The club who played last season as Celtic Crusaders in Bridgend, finishing bottom of the table, have got new owners and moved to Wrexham, where they will share the Racecourse Ground with the town's football club.
Because of the takeover talks, Noble has had a lack of preparation and the Crusaders go into the game without the benefit of a practice match.
Although he is frustrated over the situation, he is determined not to dwell on the negatives.
"If you concentrate on all the things we haven't done it could be an intimidating night but I think the players are really excited," he said.
"You go into every game trying to win, there's never been any other philosophy for me. We've got to try and find a way to win."
Although there have been plenty of changes at the Crusaders, the competition's other clubs have also looked to improve their squads.
Last season's Challenge Cup winners Warrington have bolstered their squad with Richie Myler from Salford, Wakefield's Ryan Atkins and David Solomona of Bradford as they chase more silverware.
Hull FC and Bradford who, like the Wolves, missed out on last year's play-offs, have also invested heavily.
Sean Long has made the move from St Helens to the KC Stadium along with experienced Australian pair Mark O'Meley and Craig Fitzgibbon while the Bulls have brought in Manly trio Glenn Hall, Heath L'Estrange and Matt Orford as well as Cronulla's Brett Kearney.
St Helens, who have lost to Leeds in the last three Grand Finals, will have to cope without Long and Lee Gilmour, who has gone to Huddersfield.
But Scott Moore returns from a season-long loan at Huddersfield while Nick Fozzard is back after a spell at Hull KR and the likes of Keiron Cunningham, Paul Wellens and Leon Pryce will still be key.
Wigan have been relatively quiet on the recruitment front with only Paul Deacon coming in from Bradford but new coach Michael Maguire will be aiming to end the Warriors' run without a trophy which goes back to the 2002 Challenge Cup final.
Australian scrum-half Matt Orford will hope to lead Bradford to success
Rugby Football League chief executive Nigel Wood believes the new season will be one of the closest ever.
"I know people say this year after year but I make no apologies for stating my belief that 2010 really will see the most exciting competition we have ever seen," he said.
"The Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday 2 October is going to be a night no-one will want to miss."
Wood also insists that, despite the economic climate, the Super League can flourish this season
"The salary cap continues to have a positive impact across the league while sponsorship and the licensing system have brought the stability clubs need to grow their businesses.
"Last year, we saw the emergence of new breed of dynamic, young, home-produced players like Sam Tomkins, Ryan Hall, Richie Myler and Kyle Eastmond.
"I hope that this year we will see young players at every Super League club make a major impact on the competition."
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