Hull FC are in the midst of another big recruitment drive as they look to improve their squad for the 2026 season and beyond.
Already signing a quartet of players for next year, Hull are now hoping to finalise a move for Leeds Rhinos prop Sam Lisone. They are confident they can fend off competition to acquire the front-rower from his current club given official confirmation of a quota extension that will increase the overseas spots per Super League club.
The expectation is the quota will be extended from seven to ten spots, with the competition set to expand to 14 teams. That allows Hull, who were already at the current allocation of seven and have since extended Liam Knight’s deal, to sign Lisone, should they entice the player away from Leeds, plus acquire one further quota player should they desire.
But what areas will John Cartwright and Richie Myler turn to next? Hull have already signed four forwards; two middles – James Bell and Harvie Hill – and two back rowers – Joe Batchelor and Connor Bailey – for 2026, with Lisone’s hoped acquisition being a fifth addition to the pack.
Forwards have been the area of focus so far, with Hull stretched in the middle and on the edge. It’s hoped that sufficient reinforcements have now been acquired, allowing the likes of Zak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain, who have played in the back row for the last three months, to compete for the centre spots once again alongside Davy Litten.
As for the last quota spot, and indeed their domestic recruitment drive, Hull have two areas to go to: centre or the spine. That decision will likely depend on what is available (both now and for 2027), what fits best, and what complements the team the most, but there’s no doubt this organisation won’t sit still in their pursuit to build a competitive team that can challenge again.
There are also some contract decisions still to come which could impact the direction Hull goes. The likes of Tom Briscoe are out of contact come the season’s end, with decisions also to come on young players like Matty Laidlaw, who has featured in the first-team in recent weeks. Here is a breakdown of how things stand right now.
Hull’s out-of-contract list
Jack Ashworth, Tom Briscoe, Zach Jebson, Will Gardiner, Matty Laidlaw, Jordan Lane, Ligi Sao, Sam Eseh (loan), Liam Watts
Briscoe wants to play on into next year and has made no secret about his desire to stay at Hull, fight for a spot, and mentor the young players. Elsewhere, Ashworth is expected to join Lane at Castleford Tigers, while Eseh is contracted at parent club Wigan. Hull will have to pay a transfer fee to keep him, should the Warriors allow the player to leave.
As for Hull’s younger first-team players, Laidlaw could be turning heads after his recent first-team involvements, while the likes of Gardiner are playing on dual reg at Doncaster. Rugby union 7s player Jack Rampton is currently on trial with the club and set for another run out for the reserves on Friday night.
2026 squad
Full-Back: Will Pryce, Jordan Rapana, Logan Moy, Lloyd Kemp
Hull are well stocked at full-back, with Will Pryce signed mid-season on a three-and-a-half-year deal. Pryce seems the front runner for the spot, making it his own before his hamstring injury. Elsewhere, Rapana is contracted for another year, while Moy still has two years to run. Kemp too is another younger player who can double up at centre.
Wing: Harvey Barron, Lewis Martin
The club’s two young wingers are signed up long-term, but Hull could opt to bolster the position with some experience. Again, Briscoe has made no secret of his desire to stay at Hull, while Rapana can also fill in here.
Centre: Zak Hardaker, Ed Chamberlain, Davy Litten, Ryan Westerman
Litten has impressed in the centre at times this year and still has room to grow. It’ll also be interesting to see how Hardaker and Chamberlain adapt to the centre spot again, while Westerman is one for the future.
Half-Back: Aidan Sezer, Cade Cust, Jack Charles, Callum Kemp
Sezer is expected to lead the side again next year with Charles and Kemp learning off Hull’s skipper. Cust, who can double up as a hooker, is contracted for another year, but how Hull use their final quota spot, on the presumption the allowance goes to 10, will be interesting.
Prop: Herman Ese’ese, Liam Knight, Harvie Hill, Yusuf Aydin, Brad Fash, Hugo Salabio, Sam Lisone (potentially)
Hull signed up Ese’ese on a long-term deal earlier this year, while Knight has recently been signed up for next season. That sorts Hull’s starting middles with Hill to come off the bench. There is depth in Yusuf Aydin and Brad Fash and more to come pending the contract decisions of current players, with Lisone adding the desired impact the club has sought off the bench. Salabio is also contracted for another year.
Hooker: Amir Bourouh, Denive Balmforth, Will Hutchinson
Bourouh is contracted for two more years, with the challenge now for Balmforth and Hutchinson to kick on and force their way into the team, spelling the position with Hull’s starting dummy half. Balmforth is currently on loan at Catalans, while Hutchinson is highly rated by many figures at the club.
Back Row: Jed Cartwright, Joe Batchelor, Connor Bailey, Will Kirby
Cartwright is contracted for 2026 and will hope for better luck with injury next season. Elsewhere, Batchelor and Bailey are two new recruits adding some freshness to the position. Kirby, too, is a highly rated young player.
Loose Forward: John Asiata, James Bell
Hull’s most important player is still contracted for another two years, with Bell signed to spell the role. It could prove to be a shrewd addition and will ensure the way Hull wants to play never wavers. Here’s hoping the rest of the club’s recruitment is just as strategic.