A lot to ponder over the next week. Here’s how Hull FC could line-up.
Hull FC forward James Bell.(Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
In the midst of a chaotic week for Hull FC, you’d be forgiven for forgetting there’s a game on next week, with the Black and Whites hosting St Helens at the MKM Stadium on Thursday night.
Hull now have less than one week left to prepare for that clash, and their first game since it was confirmed that head coach John Cartwright will leave the club at the end of the 2026 season. They are set to have a changed side against the Saints, too, with three injury blows suffered at Hull KR on Good Friday forcing changes once more.
But that’s nothing new. Hull have struggled for any sort of continuity in team selection so far this year, especially in the key positions, and that is set to be the case once again.
What’s the current status?
Hull sent John Asiata (hamstring) and Arthur Romano (ankle) for scans following Good Friday’s defeat, with Cartwright confirming after the derby that the first prognosis didn’t look good for either player. Joe Batchelor also went off with a fresh blow. All three players are expected to be out with further updates to come as scan results emerge.
Elsewhere, Brad Fash and Jake Arthur missed the derby with head and calf issues. Fash should be good to go after passing his return-to-play protocols and play in what will be his 200th Hull appearance. Arthur was deemed ‘touch and go’ after picking up his third soft tissue injury of the year in training last week. Yusuf Aydin is also closing in on a return to action after an anle injury.
As for those already in the treatment room, Hull are expected to be without Harvey Barron (ankle) Herman Ese’ese (Achilles), and Jed Cartwright (hamstring). Will Pryce and Joe Ward (both ACL) are out for the season.
What changes will be made?
Hull are set for a change at loose-forward and that change is likely to be James Bell. The Kiwi was brought in to play in the middle, but given the injuries to Hull’s back row, he hasn’t featured there since his debut at Wakefield last month, but now it seems he will move back to the 13 position and offer his own flavour of ball playing as the side’s middle link.
Bell’s move to loose-forward opens up a back row spot for Connor Bailey, who was moved to the bench in the derby. The other spot could be given to either Brad Fash or Zak Hardaker, who could play at back row, centre, full-back, or half-back pending where he is needed most.
Another big change will come at centre given Arthur Romano’s ankle injury. Again, Hardaker is an option there.
As for the halves, Aidan Sezer could be paired with Hardaker, or Cade Cust, with Arthur perhaps not risked. If that’s the case, then it opens the door for Callum Kemp.
At full-back, Logan Moy, who has been solid in his two appearances, is also set to keep his spot. There’s a lot for Hull’s coaching staff to think about.
Potential Hull FC team to play St Helens
Starting XIII: Logan Moy; Tom Briscoe, Zak Hardaker, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer; Ligi Sao, Amir Bourouh, Harvie Hill; Brad Fash, Connor Bailey; James Bell. Interchange: Callum Kemp, Sam Lisone, Yusuf Aydin, Matty Laidlaw