Francis Cummins is backing Hull FC’s young guns to take their first-team opportunities if and when they arise this year – in particular Logan Moy and Jack Charles.
The duo played their part in Hull’s 28-12 reserves victory over Hull KR on Saturday, with Moy lining up at full-back and Charles at half-back. Both were good value, with Moy electric on his feet at the back and Charles, working in tandem with halves partner Callum Kemp, steering the side around the field.
Taking a step back this year, both players have played in the reserves and on dual reg at Doncaster in recent weeks, a big contrast to last year, where they played 33 first-team games combined. But 2025 has brought a different challenge, with Charles injured for two thirds of the games to date and Moy making just eight appearances, namely from the bench.
But Cummins, in his second year at the club, leading both the academy and reserves sides, is seeing development in both players, and for the coach, that’s the main thing.
He told Hull Live: “Logan Moy and Jack Charles – they made loads of appearances at first team level last year, and it’s been tough for them to get in this season, but when you think about it, it’s about their development and getting better.
“That’s what we’re all here for, and if they get the chance, I think they’ll take it with both hands. They’re not far away, and if they do get it, they’ve just got to grab hold of it. That’s the nature of our sport. Hopefully, they do. We’ve got some good lads in our system, and I’m really happy with how they’re getting on and getting better.”
Hull’s reserves side also featured Kemp’s twin brother Lloyd Kemp, not to mention Joe Ward, Zach Jebson, and Will Hutchinson, all of whom have made their first-team debuts.
It also contained plenty from the academy, with the likes of Jon Turner and Alister Swyer stepping up. For Cummins, that progression is there to see across the board – but its development that the coach was keen to stress is the priority.
“Sometimes you don’t get the results, but you get players who are getting better, and that’s the main thing,” he added. “We all want to win every game, and sometimes that can drive your thinking, but then you watch the game back, and you see certain players getting better who aren’t far away from that first team.
“Don’t get me wrong, the song they sung at the end, Old Faithful – that was the best I’ve heard it all year. It was a good feeling, but it’s development that matters.
“The academy are a little bit young, but we’re getting better. We’re playing a little bit naively, reserves too, if I’m being honest, but we’ve got some good players who are really improving. That’s what it’s all about.”