Hull FC have a huge chance now to get their 2026 season going in the right direction.
Hull FC’s Jake Arthur celebrates at the end of the match.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC have a massive chance now to kick on with their 2026 season. Sitting just two points outside of the Super League play-offs after last Friday’s 50-10 victory away at Castleford Tigers, they host Toulouse Olympique on Sunday afternoon before a week off and a trip to injury-ravaged Bradford Bulls.
It seems, on first glance, a perfect opportunity to build some confidence and momentum and, ultimately, that winning habit. If only it were that easy… But Hull – who deserve credit for their unity and connection in navigating a tough period regarding John Cartwright’s exit – can go three victories in a row with the right level of performance and attitude. They are capable of beating two teams currently sat below them in the table and ensuring their season takes the right turn after what was a below-par start.
Of course, injuries played their part, as they have for several sides this season, but they are not a comfort blanket to hide behind. Hull were off the pace at the start of the season and struggled to get a foothold under rugby league’s faster ruck interpretations. Don’t shout it too loudly, but it seems they have now turned a corner on that front and can now look forward to an opposition that, with all due respect, they should be beating – especially if they want to reaffirm their top six push.
Make no mistake about it, that’s the goal this year, and Hull, who must cut out the same below-par displays when the favoured team as seen last year, believe it’s achievable. They’ve got 18 games left now to make a real fist of it and make their first finals appearance since 2020 – then under interim head coach Andy Last, and what a story that would be.
To aid their cause, they have players coming into form. Jake Arthur was showing some real promising signs before his calf injury and he continued those signs in his comeback at Castleford. Popular hooker Amir Bourouh, heavily and at times unfairly criticised this season, has run well for a good month now. Aidan Sezer also had his best game of this season last week, while James Bell was superb.
Hull, who are also hoping to welcome back some of their injured players in the near future, Harvey Barron, Herman Ese’ese, etc, etc., and are open to further strengthening their squad with recruitment if the right opportunities allow, have things in their favour, but the challenge is to go again. A massive opportunity awaits them this week and into the next month – and Last knows it.
“This run of games is very important,” the interim head coach said. “But when you look at the history of Hull FC, you can always go, ‘Yeah, we should have won that one and that one.’ For me, it’s all about our attitude and making sure that we perform at our absolute best and have that underdog mentality regardless of who we are playing against.
“We have been guilty in the past of not turning up in the games we should be winning and that’s not acceptable for this club. We need to go out and make sure that we focus on our own performance and play at our absolute best.
“If we do that, we give ourselves a chance against whoever we are up against. I’ll really be driving home the attitude message this week.”
Hull are also hoping to get some continuity in selection, and if all goes to plan, the only loss against Toulouse this week will be Ligi Sao, who failed an HIA at Castleford. They are hoping to run with the same spine, with Arthur playing well alongside Sezer in the halves and Bell working in tandem as the middle link from the loose-forward position. Logan Moy has also impressed at full-back.
“The big thing for us is having Jake Arthur back, Belly in that 13 position, Aidan Sezer and Logan Moy,” Last said. “The way Logan has been playing over the last couple of weeks has been fantastic. Credit to him.
“He’s been patient and he’s worked hard. He’s got his opportunity and he’s looked a threat and that’s what we need – the more we get like him, the better we’ll be.
“If we can just get a run of half a dozen games where we’ve got the same consistent spine, that will really help us and allow us to get more wins.”
Hull currently sit eighth in Super League, two points below Catalans Dragons (seventh), Wigan Warriors (sixth), and Hull KR (fifth), who have a game in hand. They have to maximise their push now, remain professional, and get the job done. A huge second half of the season then awaits.