A new era at Hull FC is approaching.
New Hull FC signing Daly Cherry-Evans.(Image: Getty)
Hull FC will look very different in 2027, with change very much the word in what will be a new wave of Black and Whites led by incoming head coach Steve McNamara.
Over a dozen players will leave the club at the end of the 2026 season, with seven new signings already confirmed – and more are in the pipeline. Here is how things stand right now.
Confirmed to be leaving at the end of 2026
Jake Arthur, Amir Bourouh, Tom Briscoe, Jed Cartwright, Roman Dawson, Brad Fash, Zak Hardaker, Ben Johnson, Davy Litten, Hugo Salabio, Ligi Sao
Confirmed signings for 2027
Joshua Coric, Alrix Da Costa, Daly Cherry-Evans, Bailey Hodgson, Isaac Liu, Junior Pauga, Jordan Swann
Reported signings but not confirmed by the club
Connor Barley, Max Wood
The 2027 squad as it stands
Full-backs: Bailey Hodgson, Lloyd Kemp, Logan Moy
Hull look well stocked at full-back. Of course, Will Pryce will move into the halves next year, partnering Daly Cherry-Evans. As for the number one spot, it looks to be a three-way battle between Bailey Hodgson, Logan Moy, and Lloyd Kemp. Hodgson is also capable of playing centre, while Kemp has shown his versatility in a number of roles, the latest of which was at hooker. He can also slot into the halves and play at centre.
Wingers: Harvey Barron, Lewis Martin, Joe Ward
Hull look set to back their two young flyers, Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin, next year, with both players finishing the current year strong. Joe Ward will look to return this pre-season after an ACL injury sustained in January, while Connor Barley, albeit not confirmed by the club, is understood to have signed from Goole Vikings and will add some welcome competition to the outside backs.
Centres: Ed Chamberlain, Junior Pauga, Arthur Romano, Jordan Swann
Hull have signed two new centres in Jordan Swann and Junior Pauga. However, this is a position Hull may still look to add some depth to, with Arthur Romano expected to return to Catalans and the future of Ed Chamberlain still in limbo. The player spent the 2026 season on loan at Bradford before a season-ending foot injury. He has been doing his rehab back at the club and is contracted for next year.
Half-backs: Daly Cherry-Evans, Callum Kemp, Will Pryce, Aidan Sezer
Hull have signed high-profile NRL veteran Daly Cherry Evans for the 2027 season, with the aforementioned Pryce set to partner him. Callum Kemp will challenge as backup, and what a year he has in store learning from one of the best Aussie halves of the last 15 years.
Current Hull captain Aidan Sezer has been heavily linked with a Hull exit. However, no move has yet been finalised.
Props: Yusuf Aydin, Joshua Coric, Herman Ese’ese, Harvie Hill, Isaac Liu, Matty Laidlaw, Sam Lisone
Hull have signed Issac Liu and Joshua Coric to bolster their middle options next year, offering support to young prop Harvie Hill. Yusuf Aydin is also contracted, while Matty Laidlaw is another option.
Elsewhere, Sam Lisone is currently suspended for an off-field incident, while the future of Herman Ese’ese is still up in the air. This is another area where you’d expect Hull to recruit, especially if more departures are to follow. On that front, Warrington prop Max Wood has been linked all summer with a season-long loan move for next year.
Hookers: Denvie Balmforth, Cade Cust, Alrix Da Costa, Will Hutchinson
Hull have signed Alrix Da Costa for the 2027 season and will see Denive Balmforth return to the club after a season-long loan deal at York Knights. The club also have young dummy-half Will Hutchinson on the books, while Cade Cust is contracted for another two years.
Back Rows: Connor Bailey, Joe Batchelor, Lennon Clark, Will Kirby, Ethan O’Neill
Hull signed Ethan O’Neill mid-season, and he looks set to partner Joe Batchelor next season. Hull have depth in the versatile Connor Bailey, with two young guns in Lennon Clark and Will Kirby also looking to impress when the opportunities arise.
Loose forwards: John Asiata, James Bell
Hull’s vice-captain John Asiata is set to take his place in Hull’s 2027 squad, confident he has overcome a hamstring injury that has ruled him out for most of this year. James Bell is also contracted for a couple more years. There has been speculation that the Kiwi could be set for a departure, but Andy Last ruled that out when speaking to Hull Live earlier this month.
Hull’s quota situation
As it stands, with some change here expected, Hull have all 10 of their quota spots filled for 2027. They are John Asiata, James Bell, Daly Cherry-Evans, Joshua Coric, Cade Cust, Herman Ese’ese, Sam Lisone, Junior Pauga, Aidan Sezer, and Jordan Swann.
Ethan O’Neill doesn’t count on the quota due to playing part of his junior rugby league journey in England.