Some early team news from Hull FC coach Andy Last.
Hull FC prop Ligi Sao.
Hull FC will welcome back Ligi Sao into their side to take on Bradford Bulls this Sunday afternoon.
The prop forward has passed all of his return-to-play protocols following a failed HIA against Castleford Tigers two weeks ago and has been in full training this week, ripping in and raring to go.
Elsewhere, Harvey Barron has come through his reserves comeback unscathed following an ankle injury and is in contention to play at Odsal, with Last looking for a big response from his side after what was a disappointing defeat to Toulouse last time out.
“He’s passed all of his protocols,” Last confirmed. “Like typical Ligi, he’s going around and trying to dish out concussions now to his teammates on the training field.
“He’s been good for us. We missed him starting that game against Toulouse. He’s a big player for Hull FC, and he’s a player who has been a really good signing for this club.
“He’s got some physical presence, and he carries the ball strong. He’s a bit of an enforcer for us, and we’re looking forward to him doing a strong job and performing well against Bradford.”
And on Barron, Last continued: “He’s definitely coming into my thoughts. Harvey had a run-out against Wigan in reserve grade and came through unscathed. He got the full 80 minutes under his belt and wore some bruises.
“Wigan, at any level, are a physical team, and he got some carries under his belt and did well, so yeah, he’s coming into consideration for the 17. He’s a very capable player, Harvey, and I know what he’s capable of. We’re expecting him to go on a bit of a peak now in and around that first team.”
Barron may find himself on the wing for Hull this week, with Tom Briscoe moved to centre. As for the back row, Last could start Zak Hardaker and Joe Batchelor, with new signing Ethan O’Neill to come off the bench.
“We’ve got a plan this week with Batch and Zak in the back row,” Last said. “We’ve got Ethan O’Neill on board, too, so we’re going to try and manage their minutes and try and get the best minutes out of them.
“They’ve got a lot of miles on the clock, and we need to keep them on the field, keep them on the training field, and make sure they are playing the important part of the games as best as we possibly can.
“We want to try and manage those guys in that back row, but it is difficult because something can happen (Connor Bailey breaking his collarbone last time out), and you have to adapt accordingly, and we had to adapt very, very quickly with Batch ending up playing a lot more minutes than he was probably expecting to.”
And on O’Neill, who, alongside Leeds Rhinos teammate Jeremiah Mata’utia, has signed on loan with Hull for the next month, Last continued: “He’s a player who caught our eye playing for Leigh last year with some strong performances on that edge.
“He’s physically good, a strong performer, and he’s got some experience. When he was offered around previously, we was okay in the back row, but then obviously with Connor Bailey going down as he did, it changed what we needed within the squad.
“I picked up the phone and asked Brad (Arthur) if Ethan would be available, and he was obliging and has given us an opportunity to get someone with some experience in our team. He is motivated to play well. He wants to force Brad’s hand by performing at Super League level for us week in, week out, with a view to getting himself back into the selections at the Rhinos.”
Last also confirmed that no fresh injuries have arisen after the Toulouse game. “We’re all good,” he added. “We’re ready to go.”