How Hull FC signing led to former Man of Steel’s move

Hull FC have been busy this off season especially when it comes to the spine.

In fact, they have an entirely new spine going into 2023.

Jake Connor left for Huddersfield Giants after Josh Reynolds returned to his first club in the NRL in the shape of Canterbury Bulldogs on a train and trial deal.

The Black and Whites pulled off a major signing in the shape of Castleford Tigers halfback Jake Trueman who joins the club after a long spell of speculation.

They also added Newcastle Knights fullback Tex Hoy and the last piece of the puzzle was halfback Jake Clifford who followed his former Knights teammate Hoy from Newcastle to Humberside.

It was his move coupled with the Knights’ long term struggle to replace now Catalans Dragons star Mitchell Pearce saw the Knights move for Jackson Hasting.

Hastings is one of the best players we have seen grace Super League in recent times.

The halfback joined a struggling Salford Red Devils side in 2018 and steered them away from relegation.

Then in 2019 he led the Red Devils all the way to an unlikely Grand Final after they started the year as second favourites for relegation.

That season he picked up the Man of Steel as well as a move to Wigan Warriors where he was a big hit and helped the Warriors to the League Leaders’ Shield.

They were also a bounce of the ball away from winning the Grand Final but St Helens’ Jack Welsby had over ideas and now he is set to spark things at Newcastle in 2023.

Interestingly, Clifford’s arrival also ensured that the Black and Whites would not be keeping another former Man of Steel in the shape of Luke Gale who joins Keighley Cougars for 2023.