The latest Hull FC notebook.
Hull FC were edged 16-10 by St Helens on Friday night. Elsewhere, the academy were in action, and off the field, there are musings on the transfer front, with Jake Arthur taking the club’s 10th and final quota spot for the 2026 season. Here is the latest notebook.
Arthur fills last quota spot
Hull have signed Jake Arthur from NRL outfit Newcastle Knights. The 22-year-old, who turns 23 next month, is Hull’s sixth new signing for the 2026 season, following on from Sam Lisone, James Bell, Joe Batchelor, Connor Bailey, and Harvie Hill.
The half-back desired to partner Aidan Sezer next year; Arthur allows Cade Cust to play the role he was originally signed for, covering both the halves and hooker spot. But he also takes Hull’s final quota place, meaning that if Hull are to sign any more overseas players for next season, including Ligi Sao, then a current player will have to leave first.
So what comes next?
There has been an understanding that Hull are open to strengthening the centre position. They still have a bit of salary cap space available and they the intention to fill it so long as the right fit comes along.
In fact, John Cartwright has made no secret of this. In a recent press conference, he said: “We have a bit of scope. We’re probably a little bit thin in the centres, the centre area. The boys that have played there this year have done a great job. There’s been a lot of changing of positions in there.”
And on the type of centre he’d like, Cartwright added: “When you look to complete your side, you’d love a Tesi Niu-type player. I think everyone would love to have a player like him at the moment, but they’re hard to find.”
As alluded to by Cartwright, Hull Live understands the centre market is pretty dry right now with no major options coming to play. Hull are also happy with the form of Davy Litten, while Zak Hardaker is likely to go back to centre next season. They also have Ed Chamberlain on the books and up-and-coming teenager Ryan Westerman.
But as always, never say never. It will be interesting to see if anything arises in the coming weeks and months.
Hull play-off place granted
Leeds Rhinos’ wheelchair side has been disqualified from the 2025 Super League play-offs, with Hull FC awarded the fourth and final place. The Rhinos requested to cancel a recent fixture with Halifax Panthers, which clashed with a player’s wedding. They made sufficient notice of this date but the fixture was still pencilled in, with Halifax now handed a 24-0 victory and Leeds unable to compete in the finals series.
Competition Rule 8.6 states: “Any team which does not fulfil all regular season fixtures will not be eligible to participate in play-off and finals activity.”
Meanwhile, Hull, who finished fifth in the seven-team comp, will now compete in the top four play-off series. They will face Halifax, London Roosters, and Wigan Warriors in a mini-series which will take place in Manchester, Nottingham, and Hull in the coming weeks. The top two clubs will qualify for the Grand Final, which will take place at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Belle Vue, Manchester, on Sunday, September 28.
And as for the Super League play-off places…
Things are heating up, with Hull are locked in a four-game battle with Wakefield for the sixth and final spot. Meanwhile, the Black and Whites take on Leeds Rhinos at the MKM Stadium this Saturday afternoon with a big crowd expected.
That follows from a 1,000-plus away following over the Pennines at St Helens last Friday night, with John Cartwright saying on that support: “We don’t take them for granted, that’s for sure. They come; they pay their money to get here, and they provide so much support for us. We can’t thank them enough.”
Academy defeated
Hull FC Academy were defeated 32-24 at Castleford Tigers on Friday night. The Tigers lead 20-18 at half-time, extending their lead in the second half. Hull’s tries came from Elliot Middlemas, Rio Kassim, Callum Kemp, and Finlay Davies. Meanwhile Francis Cummins’ side play their 12th and final game of the year on Friday night, hosting Leeds Rhinos at the University of Hull.