Five players Hull FC could sign to replace Tex Hoy

With the news now confirmed that Hull FC have released full-back Tex Hoy from his contract it leaves the club with a void at full-back.

Youngster Logan Moy debuted against Huddersfield Giants when he was brought out in place of Hoy but it would be brave and potentially harmful to throw the talented teen into the starting role at present.

Hull FC are a team struggling for form and that have been on the end of plenty of heaving beatings, not something that a developing youngster needs at the very formative stage of their career.

The release of Tex Hoy was confirmed alongside that of Nu Brown and follows Tony Smith’s sacking yesterday, showcasing Hull FC as a team in the mire at the moment.

Others on the books at Hull FC who can play at full-back include the injured duo of Davy Litten and Jack Walker, with the latter being a natural full-back and a player who was thrown in at the deep end from a young age.

Walker played in a Grand Final for Leeds Rhinos aged just 17 and despite having had success in his career, he has bounced around a lot and suffered from numerous injuries.

Hoy’s release also saw Nu Brown leave which means the club do have two overseas quota spots available which broadens the talent pool from which they can sign a full-back to replace Hoy.

With full-back being a position that doesn’t boast incredible depth in Super League, Hull FC might have to look elsewhere and here are five men who could take on the role.

Who could Hull FC sign to replace Tex Hoy?

Tanguy Zenon – Catalans Dragons

The one name in the list who is still plying his trade for a Super League team and that is youngster Tanguy Zenon with the 21-year-old buried on the depth chart with the French side.

Zenon hasn’t played in Super League or the Challenge Cup in 2024 but he does have a handful of games experience in the competition, notably when on loan at Hull KR last season with the young French talent shining on debut against Salford Red Devils.

Likely a cheap option and a quick fix but Tanguy Zenon would certainly fit the bill at Hull FC.

Richie Myler – York Knights

If Hull FC think they need experience at the position then there are very few players out there with more experience than Richie Myler, the former England and Ireland international having 307 Super League games to his name.

He’s scored 144 tries in that time and has played in some of the sport’s biggest games including multiple Grand Finals. Myler is currently playing for York Knights after leaving Leeds Rhinos at the end of the season but with the Knights not running so well early this season (winless from three in the Championship), then perhaps Myler could be tempted away.

He has only signed a one-year deal meaning that there is a chance the club could pry him away, similar to how rivals Hull KR brought in Ben Reynolds from Featherstone Rovers.

Bailey Hodgson – Manly Sea Eagles

A wildcard choice that would bring a Hull-born lad home would be for Hull FC to sign Bailey Hodgson, the nephew of former Hull KR legend and England international Josh Hodgson.

Hodgson earned a Super League debut whilst at Castleford Tigers but headed down under where he initially joined Newcastle Knights but he parted ways without playing an NRL game.

He’s since signed for Manly on a one-year deal and has been playing for the club’s New Sout Wales Cup side, scoring two tries in six games this season, but the promise of a starting spot in Super League could be something to tempt the 21-year-old back to his home city.

Dane Laurie – Penrith Panthers

If Hull FC want to use their quota spot on a full-back then Dane Laurie could be the answer with the 24-year-old another set to head off contract down under int he NRL.

He’s got plenty of experience in the competition too having played 49 times for Wests Tigers but he has since moved back to his first club of Penrith, but finds himself buried beneath superstar Dylan Edwards.

He might be one of the more expensive options but 56 games of NRL experience is certainly worth the money and he could be a star in Super League.

Jamie Shaul – Hull RUFC

Potentially the biggest wildcard shout would be the return of Jamie Shaul to Hull FC. Shaul left the club at the end of the 2023 season and made the switch to rugby union where he now plays for Hull RUFC.

The 31-year-old has 188 games of Super League experience under his belt but whether he would even consider a return is unclear, however, as a player who knows the club, their values and more importantly has the respect of the fans then the club would be silly to not fire their former player a message.