Hull FC take on Leigh Leopards this Thursday night in round 12 of Super League. It’s a huge game for the Black and Whites, who need to get their season back on track after four successive defeats. Here is our latest notebook.
Big stakes at Leigh
It’s congestedly packed in the middle of Super League right now, with just five points separating third to ninth. In fact, it’s easy to sway up and down a couple of positions pending a win or loss, but there’s no doubting what a win at Leigh could do for current 7th placed Hull.
Obviously, there’s a long way to go before panic sets in, but they need to end a four-game losing run as soon as possible, just in terms of belief, confidence, and the like. They put in a much-improved account at Leeds, certainly in terms of discipline, but that, as voiced all week, has to be the standard now.
Hull, who statistically had their best game of the season in terms of completed sets and a low error and penalty count, have to strike a balance, complete well again, and ask some questions. They had the chances to see off Leeds at Headingley, especially when 16-10 up, with head coach John Cartwright conceding as much. They’ve got to take them now, starting against the Leythers – a team Hull have failed to beat since their return to Super League in 2023.
They drew after a thrilling – and controversial – golden point period back in round four, with the two sides now set to lock horns again, with plenty of former players on each side, from Zak Hardaker, John Asiata, Ben McNamara, and the like. That only adds to the spice. It should be another good game, with Hull knowing that if they stick to last week’s level, they at least have a chance. But then again, grit and desire have not been an issue this year – it’s smarts and a clinical nature that will ensure they get results.
Academy defeated
Hull FC’s academy side were beaten 34-10 at St Helens last Friday night. It was a third successive defeat for the young Black and Whites after losses to Hull KR and Wigan. They beat Wakefield and Leigh earlier this year and host Bradford on May 30.
Meanwhile, Kieran Calvert and Elliot Middlesmas scored the side’s tries, one in each half, with Josh Horne adding one goal.
Hull Starting XIII: Lloyd Kemp, Rhys Yorke, Josh Horne, Preston Ward, Elliot Middlemas, Callum Kemp, Joe Thompson, Callum Smith, Alistair Swyer, Kian Goodhand, Finley Wilson, Kieran Calvert, Matthew Shepherdson. Interchanges: Tyler-James Eccles, Finlay Davies, Rio Kassim, Jon Turner.
Win for Hull FC Women
Hull FC’s women’s side picked up their first victory of the Championship season on Sunday – defeating Castleford Tigers 22-18 away from home. Back row forward Nat Romano scored two tries, while Jade Key and Lily Bunby also crossed over with Abby Price adding three goals. In fact, Bunby landed the winner in the 74th minute, with the side now up and running in the sport’s second tier after promotion from League 1 last season.
Hull Starting XIII: Alyx Worth, Poppy Lyon, Georgia Smith, Grace Williamson, Lily Bunby, Olivia Turner, Abby Price, Eleanor Horden, Jade Key, Abbie Wardell, Kacey Sexton, Nat Romano, Kayleigh Waller. Interchanges: Fleur Delsous-Bahri, Chloe James, Kaci Lumb, Natalia Ziolkowska.
Hull FC duo selected in ‘Future of England’ squad
Hull FC Wheelchair duo Tristan Norfolk and Josh Edwards have been included in a 16-player ‘Future of England’ squad to play in what is essentially a trial match ahead of this year’s Ashes tour to Australia. England Wheelchair will play Tests against New South Wales, Queensland, and Australia (twice), with head coach Tom Coyd naming an eight-player performance squad earlier this week.
Coyd has reaffirmed that further additions will be made to the 2025 PS after the ‘Future of England’ fixture, which takes place at the University of York on Sunday June 15. The selection for the autumn’s Ashes tour will be confirmed later in the summer.
England Performance Squad:
Seb Bechara (Catalans Dragons), Jack Brown (Halifax Panthers), Josh Butler (Leeds Rhinos), Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Coyd (London Roosters), Tom Halliwell (Leeds Rhinos)*, Rob Hawkins (Halifax Panthers), Lewis King (London Roosters) *Tom Halliwell is currently ruled out and due to have shoulder surgery.
The 16 players to play in the Future of England match are (in alphabetical order):
Mason Billington (London Roosters), Wayne Boardman (Halifax Panthers), Ewan Clibbens (Leeds Rhinos), Luis Domingos (Castleford Tigers), Josh Edwards (Hull FC), Chris Haynes (Sheffield Eagles), Nathan Holmes (Halifax Panthers), Jordan Holt (Halifax Panthers), Martin Lane (Halifax Panthers), Tristan Norfolk (Hull FC), Tom Oates (Batley Bulldogs), Finlay O’Neill (Halifax Panthers), Jason Owen (London Roosters), Stephen Reilly (Sheffield Eagles), Joe Wink-Simmonds (Sheffield Eagles), Nathaniel Wright (Halifax Panthers).
Sterlo returns
Hull FC legend Peter Sterling will return to Hull next month as part of Lee Crooks’ testimonial celebrations. Crooks, another club legend, has been awarded a testimonial by the RFL after 45 years in rugby league, with Sterling heading back to England for a special testimonial dinner.
It will take place at the MKM Stadium, with tickets priced at £40. Street food will be served.