Where Hull FC need to recruit next as Steve McNamara’s squad depth assessed

With Steve McNamara joining Hull FC for 2027, the return of a homegrown club legend brings optimism, but as with most Hull FC seasons recently, that hope quickly fades away once the campaign gets under way.

It has been six successive seasons for the Black and Whites since they last made the finals, doing so in 2020, when they were thumped 29-2 in the semi-final by Wigan Warriors.

Not in this exact order, but in the years that followed, Hull have finished 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and currently sit in 12th, but could well end the year bottom should they fail to improve.

Many believed the season was written off far too early, and with the announcement of McNamara coming in April, many have been waiting for 2027 since that moment, with player injuries, poor results and a fan favourite head coach being controversially treated by the higher-ups.

However, with just four games to go of the regular season and nothing but pride to play for, it’s clear why many fans now want 2027 to begin, mainly so they can put another dross campaign behind them.

If FC are to improve next year though, some key positions need to be recruited in, and with the squad they currently have, those areas are easy to work out.

Serious About Rugby League have gone through the full FC squad, highlighting where those improvements are needed, and which roles McNamara needs to recruit in next.

Where Hull FC need to recruit as squad depth assessed

Full-back: Lloyd Kemp, Logan Moy (both 2027), Bailey Hodgson, Will Pryce (both 2028)

Pryce is expected to be first choice, but new arrival Hodgson could take that spot should McNamara opt to use Pryce in the halves. Hodgson is expected o play at centre, but given he is naturally a full-back, has been listed here. Prospects Moy and Kemp will have a year under the new boss to prove themselves.

Wingers: Roman Dawson, Tom Briscoe (2026), Harvey Barron (2029), Lewis Martin (2030), Joe Ward (unknown)

Martin and Barron will be the starters in 2027, though a decision needs to be made on veteran Briscoe and young Dawson.

Centres: Arthur Romano, Ed Chamberlain, Zak Hardaker (all 2027)

Centre is the first key position that FC need to recruit in, with Davy Litten’s exit opening up a real gap. Tommy Talau and Jordan Swann have both been linked to the club, and it depends on where Hodgson plays as to who gets a starting spot.

Halves: Aidan Sezer, Jake Arthur, Daly Cherry-Evans, Callum Kemp (all 2027)

Sezer is expected to depart at the end of the season, despite being under contract. Youngster Kemp will get the opportunity to develop under one of the all-time greats in Cherry-Evans, whilst Arthur in the seven position has worked so much better than him as a six.

Props: Brad Fash, Hugo Salabio, Ligi Sao, Yusuf Aydin (all 2026), Sam Lisone  (2027), Matty Laidlaw (2028), Herman Ese’ese, Harvie Hill (2029)

Prop is another position where they are very light, especially with four players set to leave the club at the end of their contracts. You would expect at least two of those four to sign new deals, but prop needs to be a priority for McNamara, with the pack being so important in setting the tone, allowing the likes of Pryce and Cherry-Evans to play off.

Hooker: Will Hutchinson (2027), Cade Cust, Denive Balmforth, Cade Cust (all 2028)

With Amir Bourouh departing, Da Costa is expected to become the new number nine, with Balmforth looking to be the back-up. Cust can cover the halves, nine and 13, whilst Hutchinson is still developing his trade, having made select appearances this year.

Back row: Lennon Clark (2026), Connor Bailey (2027), Joe Batchelor, Ethan O’Neill (both 2028)

Clark has been promising in his few appearances this season and deserves a new contract for at least one more year. Bailey was one of FC’s best signings before injury, but it is expected to be Batchelor and O’Neill who take the starting spots next year.

Loose forward: Isaac Liu, John Asiata (both 2027), James Bell (2028)

Both Liu and Bell can play prop, but they are more suited to loose given their ball-playing ability. Asiata has been riddled with injuries, and you would think that next year would be his last in Black and White.