Hull FC will be forced into changes at St Helens.
Hull FC showed they are genuine top six challengers with a fine win over Leigh Leopards on Saturday evening. However, the cost of that victory has now been laid bare.
Ruled out for the season, John Asiata has suffered another hamstring injury, with Will Pryce ‘unlikely’ to feature again after breaking a bone in his foot, and Liam Watts ruled out for one week with a head injury.
That means reinforcements will come in for Friday’s Super League game at St Helens. Luckily, Hull have timely returns; Aidan Sezer is hoping to feature again after a shoulder injury, having trained so far this week. A call will be made after Thursday’s team run. Jordan Rapana has also been given the all-clear to play after a head injury, while young prop Matty Laidlaw is set to come back into the side after playing for Doncaster on dual reg.
That gives head coach John Cartwright some options to discuss with his coaching staff with some big calls to come. The first of those is at full-back, with a replacement for Pryce needed.
Lloyd Kemp is an option after producing a fine Super League debut against Leigh. However, given his form and the fact Cartwright likes him in positions where he sees more of the ball, Zak Hardaker is perhaps the more likely choice.
Obviously, Hardaker playing at full-back opens up a half-back spot, which, if all goes to plan, will be taken by Sezer. Cade Cust should take the other half-back role. The Aussie again continued his promising first season at Hull with a strong display last week.
The other big changes will come in the pack. Yusuf Aydin stepped in for Asiata during his previous hamstring injury and will likely do so again. The forward can play big minutes and gets through the gritty hard work Hull will need in the final five games.
Up front, Jack Ashworth or Sam Eseh could come in to the starting side, replacing Watts. Eseh has played the ball-playing link in the middle before, something Liam Knight did in Asiata’s absence. However, the Aussie prop is out for the year after suffering a stress fracture to his ankle, opening up a chance for Eseh to potentially fill that role.
Elsewhere, the wingers should stay the same in Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin, with Tom Briscoe and Davy Litten in the centres. The back rowers will likely be Jed Cartwright and Jordan Lane once again.
One of Eseh or Ashworth should be joined on the bench by Laidlaw, with Jordan Rapana perhaps a utility option on the bench. That would be a smart move given his recent head issues and would ensure that Hull don’t ask too much of him too soon. He also covers numerous positions and allows Hull to reshuffle the side if needed. A further spot could be opened up for Will Gardiner, with Brad Fash potentially not ready as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Potential Hull FC team to take on St Helens: Zak Hardaker; Harvey Barron, Tom Briscoe, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer; Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, Sam Eseh; Jed Cartwright, Jordan Lane; Yusuf Aydin
Interchange: Jordan Rapana, Jack Ashworth, Matty Laidlaw, Will Gardiner. 18th Man: Lloyd Kemp