The Hull FC winger has hit some form again.
Hull FC winger Lewis Martin celebrates his try.
Lewis Martin is expecting Hull FC’s standards to rise under Steve McNamara next year – standards the winger, who turned 21 last week, hopes can help him kick on and turn his England ambitions into reality.
A proud Hull-born star, Martin has ambitions to represent his country one day. He was, by all accounts, on the England radar last year after a 32-try, 30-game campaign and is now hoping to hit top form once again and be in the conversation for the future.
Martin returned to the Black and Whites’ side last month after a tough spell with injury and not being selected, but after a run of games where he has found his feet again, he’s ready to kick on under the club’s incoming head coach.
McNamara, who was appointed on a four-year deal, has been actively preparing for the pre-season start in November, with numerous changes in the works, and Martin is aware that a lot of hard work lies ahead.
“I’m looking forward to next year and working under Steve and I’m expecting the standards to go up,” the winger said. “The people that we’ve brought in, I think they are going to drive them massively.
“So yeah, I’m looking forward to it and if I can keep my own standards high, then it should go a long way. There’s a big pre-season ahead and I’ve got to show Steve my ability; he might have seen what I can do in games, but I’ve got to prove myself in pre-season. Nothing is a given.”
And on representing England one day, Martin continued: “I think that’s the pinnacle of the sport, representing your country. It’d be such a proud moment.
“Obviously, I’m still young and I still think I’ve got a lot of improvement in me and a lot of time left in me. But yeah, I think every player should aspire to play for their country and represent them on the biggest stage. I definitely want to do that.”
As for Hull in 2027, Martin believes what’s coming in will only help raise his own game. Four new signings have already been confirmed in Daly Cherry-Evans, Isaac Liu, Bailey Hodgson, and Alrix Da Costa, with another in Jordan Swann expected to be completed soon.
On Cherry-Evans’ addition, the winger added: “It’s such a big name and he is such a good player. It’s exciting for the club and it’s exciting for Super League as well, with such a big name coming over here, but yeah, it should be really good to work with him.
“I’m looking forward to what he is going to do with our young boys and obviously the amount of experience he’s got in the game and what he can teach us. It’s really exciting.”