Rugby league's pound for pound best coaches so far this season starring superb turnarounds and underdog triumphs

We’re a significant chunk of the way through the season now and the Super League, Championship and League 1 tables are beginning to take shape. Three teams remain unbeaten throughout the divisions, while there has been some surprise packages.

Below, Rugby League Live takes a look at 10 of the best coaches right now across the three leagues.

The Australian is in charge of the best team in the country and few will argue against his spot on this list. Saints were already the champions when Woolf took over in 2020 but he has somehow managed to make them better and even harder to break down.

This year has been no different. The Merseysiders sit on top of the Super League table having failed to win just two games and on both occasions Woolf fielded weakened teams.

Saints’ one major slip-up came in the Challenge Cup as they lost to their nearest and dearest rivals Wigan Warriors in the semi-finals, but you can guarantee that defeat will provide Saints with added motivation as they aim to win their fourth Grand Final in a row.

McDermott is in charge of the only unbeaten side in the Championship and it looks as though they are involved in a two-horse race for promotion alongside Leigh Centurions. The West Yorkshire club has invested heavily in the hope of finally earning a Super League spot and McDermott is the man bringing it all together on the field.

He knows what it takes to climb out of the Championship, having taken Toronto Wolfpack to the top flight, and with 12 games played, Featherstone are well on their way. Leigh Centurions got one over them in the 1895 Cup final on Saturday, but McDermott will be hoping that can spur Rovers on.

The Crusaders are one of two unbeaten teams in League 1 and after a number of years in the