A look at 2027 and the movement still to come at Hull FC.
Steve McNamara will be the next coach of Hull FC.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC have a 32-man squad for 2027 as it stands. However, there will still be some movement both ways before Steve McNamara leads the charge as head coach next year.
So what’s in store over the next few weeks, and indeed, months? Here, Hull Live takes a look.
There’s a quota exit coming
Hull currently have 11 quota players signed up for 2027: John Asiata, James Bell, Daly Cherry-Evans, Joshua Coric, Cade Cust, Herman Ese’ese, Sam Lisone, Isaac Liu, Junior Pauga, Aidan Sezer, and Jordan Swann.
Of course, Ethan O’Neill doesn’t count on the quota due to playing part of his junior rugby league journey in England.
You don’t need a mathematician, then, to tell you that at least one player will depart to get FC in check with the ten-quota-player limit.
On that front, Aidan Sezer is expected to move on and has been speculated to do so for months now. Sam Lisone is also suspended for an off-field issue, as reported by Hull Live, and his future is also in doubt, as is Herman Ese’ese, who has been linked with a move away from the club over the last couple of months.
There was doubt about Cade Cust’s long-term future, with Hull open to a move despite the player being under-contract, but he now looks set to go round again.
Obviously, Hull will need to let two current quota players go if they want to sign another, with some areas still needing strengthening ahead of next season.
The areas to strengthen
Hull may look to sign another centre after the departure of Arthur Romano, with the Frenchman granted a release for personal reasons. They have signed Junior Pauga and Jordan Swann from Australia but lack some depth across the position.
Ed Chamberlain is on the books and contracted for a third year and could play that Romano role, with the capability to double up as a back rower too. Lloyd Kemp can also fill in at centre and did so to effect mid-season. But whether Hull want an out-and-out back to compete with their new recruits is up for question.
Elsewhere, the prop position arguably needs bolstering. Hull have signed Joshua Coric and Isacc Liu to strengthen their middle. Liu will bring plenty of grit to the side as a genuine leader, while Coric is thought to have a sturdy engine as a big-minute player. But Hull need some more enforcers to go alongside Harvie Hill, who improved as the year went on despite little support around him.
Obviously, there is doubt on the futures of Herman Ese’ese and Sam Lisone, which only intensifies the situation. There’s a case to be made that Hull need one or two new faces already, a case that only gets stronger if more exits were to follow.
Of course, Warrington forward Max Wood is coming in on loan, but Hull need another addition to ensure they don’t fall by the wayside in the middle of the field, something that was a common occurrence last season.
There’s also a case for another back rower to be brought in to add some more depth and competition to the position. However, there’s a balancing act to not put too much of a roadblock in for the likes of Lennon Clark and Will Kirby, who held their own when given their opportunities this year.
All in all, there’s still going to be some movement this off-season, with McNamara and co. putting the pieces together behind the scenes before taking over in November.
The 2027 squad as it stands
Full-backs: Bailey Hodgson, Lloyd Kemp, Logan Moy (3)
Wingers: Connor Barley, Harvey Barron, Lewis Martin, Joe Ward (4)
Centres: Ed Chamberlain, Junior Pauga, Jordan Swann (3)
Half-backs: Daly Cherry-Evans, Callum Kemp, Will Pryce, Aidan Sezer (4)
Props: Yusuf Aydin, Joshua Coric, Herman Ese’ese, Harvie Hill, Isaac Liu, Matty Laidlaw, Sam Lisone (7)
Hookers: Denvie Balmforth, Cade Cust, Alrix Da Costa, Will Hutchinson (4)
Back Rows: Connor Bailey, Joe Batchelor, Lennon Clark, Will Kirby, Ethan O’Neill (5)
Loose forwards: John Asiata, James Bell (2)