Hull FC take on Catalans in Perpignan this Saturday night.
Hull FC prop Sam Lisone. (Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Hull FC are preparing for a ‘tough and attritional’ game in the South of France this Saturday night – and one that holds extra meaning with the club going up against former coach John Cartwright for the first time.
Cartwright has held the reins in Perpignan for the last few months, with his exit from Hull back in April very high profile.
It’ll be a game the Aussie will be going all out to win, with Hull, still in danger of finishing bottom of the Super League table for the first time, needing to have the same drive and desire to earn what would be just their seventh victory of the year.
“Of course he will want to win, but I do as well,” Last said. “It’s going to be a tough game in the South of France. The conditions will be very tough.
“It’s going to be attritional and we need to make sure that we take some lessons from our last performance and try to improve for this week.”
Beaten 18-14 by Castleford on Friday night, Last is looking for some inspiration from Hull’s returning players, with Arthur Romano set for his third game back from injury and his first return to the Stade Gilbert Brutus since swapping France for East Yorkshire ahead of 2026.
“He was outstanding for us at the beginning of the year,” Last said. “He only played 20 minutes at St Helens. He played the full game against Castleford.
“He needed a game. You could see that sharpness wasn’t quite there. He’ll be better for it but I’m expecting a big performance going back to his old club next week.”
Hull will also have Sam Lisone and Ligi Sao back to call on after welcome returns from injury last week.
“They will be better for the run,” Last said. “I thought Ligi was good. He played good minutes. Sam is a work in progress. He needs to build up that match fitness. That is apparent. But they will contribute to the team between now and the end of the season.”
As for more returnees, Hull will assess the likes of John Asiata, who hasn’t played since Good Friday with a hamstring injury, with Tom Briscoe looking likely to return after being rested last week following some recent back spasms.
“We made the decision to give him a rest,” Last added. “He’s a bit banged up but he’ll certainly come into consideration for the game against Catalans.”