Denive Balmforth has opened up on the loan move that has taken him from Hull FC to York Knights for the 2026 Super League season.
The hooker has been with Hull since joining from Warrington Wolves’ academy in 2022 and in that time he has made 30 appearances for the club. However, it’s fair to say he has been in and out of the picture over the last couple of seasons at least, and while he did make 11 appearances for the Black and Whites last season, he wasn’t consistently at the forefront of John Cartwright’s thoughts.
A loan to Catalans Dragons came about in the second half of the season and Balmforth more than took the chance to impress, scoring three tries in 10 appearances for Joel Tomkins’ outfit.
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As such, the 22-year-old might have expected to return to East Yorkshire and be given the chance to fight for his spot in black and white. As it was, though, he was loaned out to York at the very start of pre-season, ensuring he never got the chance to catch Cartwright’s eye.
Balmforth is more than happy to be at York, but he admits the loan switch did come as a surprise.
Denive Balmforth on his latest Hull FC loan
“The loan came about for consistency of game time,” the Wales international told Serious About Rugby League. “With Hull I was not consistently in the squad and at this stage of my career, I need to be playing at the highest level possible. It’s a really good opportunity for me.
“It came out of the blue, the loan move. I didn’t really have too much say in it, but I spoke to Carty and Richie and they explained it pretty well. I wasn’t certain to play most weeks at Hull so the right thing to do was to get me somewhere where I’ll have a better chance of playing.
“I’m contracted at Hull FC for the next three years so my future is sorted and me playing week in, week out is only going to beneficial for me and my parent club.
“We keep in touch. Gaz Ellis gives me a message most weeks and I spoke to Carty not long ago. They’re just wishing me well and checking in on me.
“It’s nice that I’m still in the plans and it’s just beneficial that I’m getting game time instead of playing reserves which probably won’t do too much for me.”
So, as he approaches the new season with York, does the hooker feel as though he has something of a point to prove in 2026?
“Yeah, definitely,” he added. “I also want to do a good job for York and the for lads I’m playing with under Mash (Mark Applegarth) who I hold in quite high regard, I want to be good for them as well.
“I worked with Mash when I was younger with the England stuff and we’ve always had a good relationship. He’s been brilliant.”
