Hull FC travel to Salford RLFC this evening as they bid to book their spot in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.
The Black and Whites haven’t played a competitive game just yet, but they’re overwhelming favourites for tonight’s clash and John Cartwright has named something close to his strongest team to hammer home that point.
Salford, who are still getting off the ground as a phoenix entity, secured their spot in the third round by beating Hammersmith Hills Hoists a fortnight ago, but they’ve lost both their Championship games convincingly so far. Few will be giving Mike Grady’s side a chance of beating Hull then this evening, with the Black and Whites expected to be simply too strong at the CorpAcq Stadium.
Cartwright hasn’t named last season’s top try scorer Lewis Martin, while the likes of John Asiata, James Bell and Liam Knight won’t play as they bid to overcome injury issues. But, the head coach is now facing something of a dilemma.
Does he risk what is close to his strongest line-up to pick up reps for the start of the season, or does he mix things up and hand minutes to those fringe players involved?
Here’s how Hull could line-up against Salford.
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Will Pryce is coming off an injury and was only given 40 minutes last week when Hull took on Wigan Warriors in a friendly. Therefore, there is some logic in allowing the full-back to get a full 80 under his belt before the Super League action gets underway.
And, he could be part of what would be a full strength spine with Aidan Sezer and Jake Arthur set to be involved in the pivots. They’re still building combinations, with Arthur arriving from Newcastle Knights in the off-season, and this provides Cartwright with the perfect opportunity to play them together.
Arthur Romano has been one of the stars of pre-season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he was given a run out at centre to try and stake a claim for a spot in the side. Harvey Barron and Tom Briscoe look set to be named on the wings, with Davy Litten expected to start at centre, too.
Cartwright will be keen to see Ligi Sao pick up some competitive minutes after spending the last year on the sidelines and he could start alongside Harvie Hill.
Sam Lisone has featured in two pre-season games, but it’s hard to see what he would get out of featuring against Salford this week, especially with Matty Laidlaw and Hugo Salabio named in the squad. At least one of those could get a chance off the bench, with Brad Fash set to be an interchange, too.
Amir Bourouh starts at hooker, with Joe Batchelor and Jed Cartwright in need of all the competitive minutes they can get in the back-row, with Connor Bailey set to come off the bench in support. Expect Yusuf Aydin to play at loose-forward once more, with Cade Cust taking up the last remaining bench spot.
Predicted Hull FC side to face Salford
How Hull FC could line-up v Salford RLFC: Will Pryce; Harvey Barron, Arthur Romano, Davy Litten, Tom Briscoe; Jake Arthur, Aidan Sezer; Harvie Hill, Amir Bourouh, Ligi Sao; Joe Batchelor, Jed Cartwright; Yusuf Aydin
Bench: Cade Cust, Matty Laidlaw, Brad Fash, Connor Bailey
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