Hull FC have landed a new Leeds Rhinos loan player.
Hull FC have acquired Leeds Rhinos forward Ethan O’Neill on loan.
Hull FC have secured a new loan player from Leeds Rhinos ahead of Sunday’s Super League game at Bradford Bulls, with Ethan O’Neill set for his Black and Whites debut.
The Rhinos have a strong and healthy squad right now and have been looking to get their Australian back row forward out on loan for the last few weeks, with a playing opportunity now arising at Hull.
As first reported by Love Rugby League, O’Neill, a close-season signing from Leigh Leopards, will now link up with Andy Last’s side. He has played four games for the Rhinos this year and last played for his parent club in their round four game against Castleford Tigers back in March.
Interestingly, the 26-year-old doesn’t count on the quota for overseas players, having played some of his junior rugby league in England while his dad Julian was a player in Super League. He is a direct replacement for Connor Bailey, who broke his collarbone in the defeat to Toulouse Olympique earlier this month, and offers some welcome depth to the back row position alongside Joe Batchelor.
Elsewhere, Hull have also agreed a deal to keep Jeremiah Mata’utia at the club on loan. The prop forward has played the last two games against Castleford and Toulouse and takes the quota spot vacated by Liam Knight, keeping Hull under the ten-player quota limit introduced ahead of the 2026 season.
However, Harry Newman, who had been on loan at Hull for the last three games, has been recalled by Leeds and is understood to be in contention to play in their game against Wigan Warriors on Friday night. Zak Hardaker is now likely to play in the right centre spot, albeit Tom Briscoe is another option with Harvey Barron making his comeback for the reserves at Wigan Warriors on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Hull are looking for a big response at Odsal after what was their worst performance of the season last time out. They defeated Bradford 27-20 in the opening round at the MKM Stadium back in February and currently sit ninth in Super League after ten rounds with four wins and six losses to their name.