If 2007 Grand Finalists Leeds and St Helens feel they can rest on their laurels, they could be in for a rude awakening in engage Super League XIII.
Whether deliberate or enforced, the Rhinos and Saints are the only clubs to go into the new season with unchanged squads while their main rivals have made significant moves in the transfer market.
Warrington, notorious underachievers in recent times, have been the biggest spenders, luring more star names to the Halliwell Jones Stadium and raising the expectancy levels to new heights.
Failure to reach the play-offs for a second successive season could spell the end of the road for coach Paul Cullen, who must quietly fancy his side's chances of breaking into the top four.
Hull, too, have attracted some of the biggest names from Australia's National Rugby League while Bradford have scoured the top end of the domestic market for their team bolstering.
The presence of international players of the calibre of Matt King, Shaun Berrigan, Louis Anderson, Dane Carlaw, Paul Whatuira and Jake Webster - and crucially their even spread across Super League - could go a long way to making it the most competitive season yet.
With a comparatively youthful squad all under long-term contracts, Leeds did not feel the need to strengthen and the champions will clearly mount a powerful defence of their crown under new coach Brian McClennan.
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson, McClennan's predecessor as New Zealand boss, has been hamstrung by financial problems but is hoping the return to full fitness of Paul Sculthorpe and, to a lesser extent, Chris Flannery, will have the effect of providing him with fresh blood.
The key factor at Knowsley Road could be the players' desire to emulate Leeds by sending their coach out on a high note.
Anderson returns to Australia at the end of the year and it would be no surprise if another Super League ring is among his luggage.
It would also surprise no-one if Wigan are challenging for honours once more, especially with their salary cap problems behind them.
Their exciting play-off surge last autumn will have whetted the appetites of the massed ranks at the JJB Stadium and, if a fully-fit Stuart Fielden can recapture his old form, the Warriors could be title contenders in the post-Maurice Lindsay era.
If the bookmakers are to be believed, St Helens, Leeds, Bradford, Hull, Wigan and Warrington can sort out the top six between them but feverish transfer activity at Hull KR and Wakefield threaten to add to the unpredictable nature of Super League.
Rovers, in particular, have received a major injection of talent while Huddersfield have also recruited well, although the loss of Great Britain winger David Hodgson through injury is a body blow to their hopes of building on last year's first-ever play-off finish.
Elsewhere, Harlequins could struggle and so too could Catalans Dragons, depending on how they adjust to life after Stacey Jones.
Wooden spoon favourites are promoted Castleford, who appear to have adopted a pragmatic view on their return to the top flight.
Desperately unfortunate to lose their place in 2006, the Tigers will be comforted by the abolition of relegation and, now with the courage of his convictions, coach Terry Matterson is set to give the club's youngsters a chance to show their worth in the big time.
The Tigers look set for a long, hard season but the memory of Hull KR's daring exploits in 2007 should sustain them.
The most intriguing battle this year could come away from the playing field with the jockeying for positions in Super League XIV.
The Rugby Football League will allocate the 14 Super League licences for 2009 to 2011 in the summer and, although the incumbents all look safe enough, Wakefield, Castleford and St Helens will be keen to secure their long-term futures by pressing ahead with their plans for new stadia.The main interest will focus outside Super League, with Celtic Crusaders, Toulouse, Salford and Widnes all expected to be vying for franchises, knowing that four into two will not go.
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