Hull FC are gearing up to face Catalans Dragons for the second time this season. The Black and Whites head to Perpignan to take on the French side – having defeated the Dragons 24-4 in the opening Super League round. Here’s the latest notebook.
Another huge clash
In the context of Hull FC’s season, Saturday’s game in the south of France is huge, with another two points doing wonders for the team’s play-off push. Currently placed seventh on the table, head coach John Cartwright has laid out the gauntlet to his side, with discipline and completion the two key pillars to base their game on.
Looking for composure in the key moments, Hull will look to wear Catalans down, completing high and competing on every play. Stick to that process, and the confidence will be there that they can ice the key moments when they arrive. It’s a process that almost worked at Leeds and one that certainly did at Leigh last week.
Cartwright called the two games the most consistent block of rugby league that Hull have played all season, with the side finding their standard and theri groove again. Sticking to it is now crucial. If they do, they’ll be well poised for a top-six finish.
Obviously, a lot of attention is on John Asiata, who will miss the game with a hamstring injury – with Hull set to go without him for the first time this season. Replacing him – with all due respect – is a hard task, but ensuring that whoever steps into the role works hard, drives the ball in and tackles strongly is not. That will be the task for the deputy – with Hull’s game plan centred once again on discipline and completion.
Hardaker’s don’t worry message
Hull FC will negotiate a game without John Asiata for the first time this year at Catalans, but the message from Hardaker is simple: don’t worry.
Speaking pre-match, the stand-in back rower, who has been one of Hull’s strognest performers this season, said: “John has been massive for us, and that’s the reason that we signed John, but I was fortunate to play with John for two years at Leigh, and there were a number of times when John didn’t play, and we had game plans where we had to play a little bit differently.
“Sometimes there’s a player who thinks he can be a ballplayer and throw the ball around, which they can’t, but if we play with three big middles who can cart the ball in, and against Catalans, they’re a big pack, and sometimes that’s what is needed. Don’t worry – we’ve got strategies and plans around it, and we’ll be more than ready for it.”
Asked if he’d put his hand up for the role, Hardaker joked: “I’d play anywhere. If John asked me to play loose forward, I’d play loose forward. I can’t see the team being too dissimilar to what we put out against Leigh. But (Brad) Fashy is back – he played pretty well for Doncaster at the weekend. We’re getting a few numbers back at the right stage of the season.”
Friendly fire
Hardaker also came up against Leigh for the first time since leaving the club for Hull ahead of the 2025 season. He received some boos when carrying the ball, but the satisfaction given the 26-12 victory was there to see.
“I love it,” Hardaker said on his return. “If someone boos me, then I love it even more. I’ve got massive respect from Leigh – I saw the fans before and plenty after. They say they still love me, which is always great to see. I saw Derek and all the coaching staff. It was really nice to come back. You’re always going to get booed when you’re in a different team, but it was great to be back and smugly even better to get the win.”
Cartwrights praise for Charles
Jack Charles has been fighting his way back from an ankle injury in recent weeks. The Hull FC half-back has featured on dual reg at Doncaster and for the Black and Whites’ reserves side, with Cartwright impressed with his conduct of the teenager, who also tore his hamstring before his ankle blow.
Charles is named in the 21-man squad for the clash against Catalans. He is yet to play in the first-team this year.
“His attitude has been great, and he’s worked hard on his body in the time he’s had out,” Cartwright told Hull Live. “He’s had a couple of games back now. I’ve been impressed with him. It’s part of his learning curve. He’s training really well. He’s able to train against a really quality side every week for a couple of days here, and that’s really going to add to his skillset.
“When he gets a chance, it’s hard to say – we’re getting a few guys back, and the fact that Custy and Aidan have played so well and that they haven’t been injured has made it hard for him, but it’s all getting better each week.”