How Hull FC could line up in round one of Super League including nine new signings

The start of the Super League season is now just seven weeks away and for Hull FC, round one will represent the start of a new chapter.

With an off-season takeover going through, the club now has new owners in the shape of Andrew Thirkill and David Hood, while John Cartwright will be taking charge of matters on the field after taking up the Hull head coach reins.

Cartwright has been bolstered by 10 new signings, too, with the first-team squad undergoing something of a facelift. Experienced heads such Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker and John Asiata have been brought in to provide leadership and nous, while the likes of Jordan Abdull, Aidan Sezer and Amir Bourouh look set to have important roles to play, too.

Ed Chamberlain and Oliver Holmes have made the switch from Leigh Leopards, while Cade Cust will have something of a point to prove at the MKM Stadium after struggling for form at Salford Red Devils last time out. Hugo Salabio completes Hull’s recruitment for 2025, with the forward joining after being released by Huddersfield Giants earlier this month.

As such, the Black and Whites will be almost unrecognisable from last year when they take to the field at the Stade Gilbert Brutus to face Catalans Dragons in round one. But, how can supporters expect Cartwright’s Hull to line up?

Well, Rapana will wear the number one shirt and it seems likely that he’ll start at full-back, while Tom Briscoe, Hardaker and Chamberlain look set to start in the backline. There’s a decision to be made on the left wing, though, with Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron gunning for a starting spot.

Barron has been handed the number two shirt but based purely on his performances last season, Martin might well be the man given the nod come round one.

Jordan Abdull picked up a knee injury before Christmas but he’s expected to be fit for round one and he should line up with Aidan Sezer in the halves. Meanwhile, Herman Ese’ese and Ligi Sao look to be the most likely starting front row pairing, with Bourouh getting the nod over Cust at nine.

Jordan Lane looked the part last season while Jed Cartwright will have something to prove as he attempts to find some traction after making the move to Hull ahead of his father midway through last season. Asiata is the obvious pick for the loose forward slot.

Picking a bench is always a balance and based purely on Cartwright’s shirt number selection, it seems Yusuf Aydin and Jack Ashworth are ahead of Brad Fash in the pecking order, while Salabio might have to bide his time, too. Holmes could be valuable off the bench, while Cust looks set to spell Bourouh at dummy half.

Predicted Hull FC line-up: Jordan Rapana; Lewis Martin, Ed Chamberlain, Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe; Jordan Abdull, Aidan Sezer; Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, Ligi Sao; Jordan Lane, Jed Cartwright; John Asiata

Bench: Yusuf Aydin, Jack Ashworth, Oliver Holmes, Cade Cust