Lisone glint, Briscoe point, reserves plea, wheelchair opener, and more – the latest Hull FC notebook.
Hull FC prop Sam Lisone.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC host Leeds Rhinos in the fifth round of Super League this Sunday afternoon. The Black and Whites are looking for a pressure-reliving victory and enduring a run of four successive defeats with Sam Lisone set to go up against his old club for the first time.
Elsewhere, John Cartwright had paid tribute to Tom Briscoe after his 36th birthday, with the veteran in line to take the right wing spot once again. The head coach also aired his take on a pressing rugby league issue, with the club to host the launch of the Super League wheelchair season at the MKM Stadium prior to taking on the Rhinos. Here is the latest notebook.
Sam Lisone fired up
Hull FC prop Sam Lisone is raring to go against former club Leeds Rhinos, with Cartwright stating that the Black and Whites will see the best of the impact prop when the ‘team gels together.’
“He’s got a bit of a glint in his eye this week,” Cartwright said on Lisone. “He’s gone on every week and he’s tried really hard to do what he does and change momentum, but that’s got to be a result of the team all gelling together. I think when we do that we’ll see the best of Sam.”
Tom Briscoe statement
The veteran winger is set for his 193rd Hull appearance against Leeds, having turned 36 years young on Thursday and still impressing his head coach week in week out, laying out an example to the rest of the squad.
“There’s not many 36-year-olds running around playing at the level that Tom plays,” Cartwright said. “He’s always got a smile on his face and he really enjoys what he does. He doesn’t shirk the hard work and when you have that attitude and your body stays good, you’ve always got a chance of playing.”
Cartwright’s rugby league bugbear
John Cartwright is counting on rugby league to get a proper reserve grade league into the calendar for young developing players. Super League has seen a plethora of one-week loan deals over the last fortnight as clubs, in the midst of an injury crisis, scramble to get their up and coming talent some gametime. But Cartwright wants to see a proper second-string league set up, with the reserves still played on a biweekly format.
“I really feel for those kids who we can’t give constant football to,” Cartwright said. “They can train all they like, but they get better when they’re competing against men. That’s where their improvement will come. There’s more reserve grade games this year than last year so let’s hope that continues.”
Outlining two examples in Lennon Clark and Will Kirby, Cartwright continued: “They’re very young boys who haven’t been exposed to a real high level of footy. Unfortunately we just can’t get enough tough high level football into them.
“They’ll get there. There’s loan scenarios and we do get a run of reserve grade games now and then but they had a tough game last week and now there’s a weekend off for them. It’s not ideal for trying to develop players for Super League.”
Inclusion launch & Wheelchair fixtures
Hull FC will host the 2026 Inclusion Season Launch at the MKM Stadium on Sunday. The Black and Whites’ PDRL side will take on Castleford Tigers in a friendly clash, while a range of LDSL sides will feature in a mini festival at Hull Sports Centre from 10.00am.
Meanwhile, Hull FC’s fixtures for the 2026 Super League Wheelchair season have been confirmed. The Black and Whites will face seven clubs this year for a total of 14 regular season fixtures. Bradford Bulls are the newest club to the competition.
The Black and Whites kick-off their season at home to London Roosters on Saturday 11th April (2.00pm) at the University of Hull’s Allam Sports Centre.
Development partnership
Hull FC and Wales Rugby League have begun a brand new Rugby League Development Agreement.
The partnership between the Black and Whites and the National Governing Body for Rugby League in Wales will see the club expand their development footprint into South Wales through a variety of new opportunities for both coaches and young players – and follows on from the first development agreement with North Lincolnshire Council in September 2025.
“This is a really exciting step for us,” head of youth Richard Tate said. “There is a huge amount of sporting talent in the region and this partnership allows us to work closely together to identify, support and develop young players.
“We see this as the beginning of a strong and positive relationship with Wales Rugby League. Our aim is to build something sustainable that benefits players, coaches and clubs in South Wales, while also giving those with the ambition and ability a clear route to progress within the game.”