Davy Litten on Hull FC’s character question, individual improvements, and derby hurt.
Hull FC centre Davy Litten.(Image: SW PIX)
Davy Litten is expecting a fired-up Hull FC side for the rest of the 2026 season after having their character questioned last week.
The Black and Whites were told some home truths by interim coach Andy Last at half-time of the Leigh Leopards game. Down 28-0 at the break, Last questioned the character and fight of his team, something Litten has labelled as ’embarrassing’ for the playing group.
But there’s been no sulking since. Hull came out firing in the second half against the Leopards, and while they gave themselves too much to do in terms of getting a result, the juices are now flowing for the remaining games of the year.
“It definitely fires you up,” Litten said when asked about Last’s comments. “It’s something which you don’t ever want to see questioned as a rugby league player, especially being someone from Hull playing for their hometown club.
“I don’t want to be questioned on that and it definitely fired us all up and it got a reaction. It’s really embarrassing and it’s really disappointing as a group to be questioned for that because over the past 18 months, this group, I felt, is what we’ve built.
“We’ve built passion and we never let each other down and that first half was just pathetic, to be honest. To be able to give Lasty a reaction was the main thing and it was a reaction he deserved because he shouldn’t ever have to question his players’ character.”
On finishing the year strong, Litten continued: “That’s the motivation, but I think, like this group, we’re not going to play together again after this year; there will be people going and stuff, so that’s a motivation in itself.
“Andy Last, the Hull-born hometown coach. We’ve got to make him proud. Some of our performances haven’t been good enough, so we’ve got to leave him with something for when he goes back to being an assistant coach next season.
“There are a lot of factors which can be motivational now. We’ll sort next year out when we’re in pre-season with Steve (McNamara), I’m sure, but now it’s about finishing this year. There are still several games to go, so we can still get some from this season by finishing it strong.”
Litten, who has seen some further growth as a player this year, is determined to do just that. The 23-year-old has 10 tries from 17 appearances this season and looks a genuine threat with ball in hand.
Four years on from his first-team debut, he’s still in his element, playing for the club he supported growing up and one that means the world to him.
“You don’t have time to blink, really,” Litten said when reminded how much time has flown since that August 2022 debut. “Each year goes by as fast as possible, and then you’re back in November and doing a pre-season.
“So, yeah, it is mad, but I’ve loved every minute of it. I love coming to work. It’s not really work, but I love it to pieces and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
On his progress, Litten, who has 66 Hull appearances and 22 tries to his name now, explained: “I think when I got injured in 2024, I was just a kid. I’m still a kid living my dream now, but I was still in awe of everything going on around me.
“It gave me time to think, grow, and assess what was going on and maybe realise what I want to do, and that’s obviously get to the highest point of the game. I’m still on that journey, and I can’t wait for it to unfold.
“I’m just backing myself a bit more now. I’m getting a bit bigger; that was due to my injury as well. So just things like that, and just feeling comfortable in the environment and just being able to go after it. I love it. I’ve obviously got a lot to work on; I’m not the finished article, but I’m loving the journey at the minute.
“I feel a lot better than last year. I’m still a sponge, though, and I just want to keep building, keep improving, and keep some decent form up.”
Ready for battle, Litten will be part of a Hull side ready to go up against Hull KR this Thursday night. Losing the last eight derby games, motivation isn’t in short supply, with the centre yet to taste victory against the old enemy at this level.
“I don’t think I lost an academy or reserves derby,” Litten said. “It’s just the first-team which I need to tick off, but yeah, hopefully that happens on Thursday night.
“Losing hurts, but it’s exciting that we can go again, turn the tide, and hopefully get that win. It would mean everything. It’s been a dream growing up: watching the derby and then being in all the derbies.
“To be on the winning side, I don’t really know what I’d feel like. I just think it’d be more important for our season as a group to build confidence. It’s really important.
“I’m just praying for a win and hopefully we get one and give the fans something to cheer about. Usually it’s whoever wants it more who gets the win and we’ve got to have that hunger and desire.
“It’s the best week of the year, especially at our place, and all the boys are excited and ready to rip in.”