To say Super League’s ongoing quota situation is frustrating Hull FC head coach John Cartwright and the like is an understatement.
The Black and Whites, as well as all Super League clubs, are looking to finalise their squads for the 2026 season, but they’re currently doing it with their hands tied, awaiting the final decision on quota allowances.
Originally, the plan was to allow a quota exemption for all players playing in UK competitions since 2020. However, as first reported by Hull Live on Wednesday, it now looks like a simpler additional quota space will be allowed.
This is huge for Hull. It allows them to offer Liam Knight a new contract. The prop has impressed since arriving from Australia, with the club wanting to extend his stay.
But as it stands, they can’t. They have no remaining quota spots, with six current players still contracted for next year and new signing James Bell taking up their seventh and final spot.
The additional spot will allow them to offer Knight a contract as their eighth quota player. They also face competition in Warrington, who are interested in the forward and who have quota spots available without the extension.
Therefore, it’s not hard to see the frustration. It also has a chain effect elsewhere, with key contract decisions to come – most notably on fellow prop Jack Ashworth. Matty Laidlaw too is gunning for a new deal.
It’s a process Cartwright hopes comes to a conclusion soon. He told Hull Live: “Until we get everything sorted at the table as far as quotas and salary caps go, it’s very hard to recruit. We need all the rules in front of us.
“Another quota would give us a big opportunity (to re-sign Knight), but until we know for sure, there’s absolutely nothing we can do. Pretty much every other club is in the same boat.
“Everyone would want more quotas to work with – but that’s not the issue. The issue is not knowing what the rules are for next year. We need the decision as soon as possible, and then every club can start sorting out their rosters for next year.”
As well as the quota situation, the RFL are still to inform clubs on the player minute caps proposed back in December 2023. The caps would restrict the minutes players can play, with Lewis Martin, under the proposals, standing down for at least five games later this year.
Hull Live reported on Thursday that there has been no communication or written confirmation on whether the caps are live this year or not, with Cartwright again frustrated by the process – which Hull Live understands won’t be adhered to this year given such short notice and lack of clarity.
“We need to get clarification on the rules,” Cartwright added. “We need to know what they are and have them set in stone, and then we can plan around it. At the moment, I’m still not 100% sure where that sits.”