John Cartwright has made just one change to his Hull FC 21-man squad ahead of Thursday’s game at Leigh Leopards – the second meeting of the two sides this season.
Jordan Rapana drops out due to rugby league’s protocols on head injuries. The back was stretched off at Leeds last week and will now sit out the mandatory 11-day period. If he passes the return-to-play checks next week, then he’ll get the go-ahead to feature at Catalans on May 31.
Matty Laidlaw comes into the squad. The young prop made his first appearance of the season against Wigan last month and has also played on dual reg at Doncaster and for Hull’s reserve side in recent weeks.
Elsewhere, the likes of John Asiata, Zak Hardaker, Ed Chamberlain, and Tom Briscoe are all set to feature against the Leythers – having won the Challenge Cup with the club back in 2023.
Brad Fash is included again, having made his comeback from a calf injury last week. Yusuf Aydin is named. The prop was left out of the side at Headingley, but given Rapana’s injury, he could come back into the 17 this week. Denive Balmforth is also an option should Cartwright opt for a second hooker.
On the injury front, Jed Cartwright will be out for another week, but the back rower is pushing to feature in Perpignan. He has been out with a hamstring injury for the last two months but has been in full training, including all contact, this week.
As well as Cartwright, Hull remain without Ligi Sao (knee), Jordan Lane (arm), Oliver Holmes (knee), Ryan Westerman (ankle), Liam Watts (calf), and Roman Dawson (ACL).
Hull Squad: 2. Harvey Barron, 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Ed Chamberlain, 5. Tom Briscoe, 6. Will Pryce, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Herman Ese’ese, 9. Amir Bourouh, 13. John Asiata, 14. Cade Cust, 16. Yusuf Aydin, 17. Jack Ashworth, 19. Brad Fash, 20. Davy Litten, 22. Lewis Martin, 23. Logan Moy, 24. Jack Charles, 25. Denvie Balmforth, 27. Matty Laidlaw, 39. Sam Eseh, 40. Liam Knight