Hull FC to make major signing as Brett Hodgson tinkers with Super League squad

Hull FC will make a major signing as head coach Brett Hodgson tinkers with his Super League squad for 2023.

That’s because the Black and Whites still have one quota spot left for 2023 with the departure of Manu Ma’u to the Catalans Dragons.

With Carlos Tuimavave, Tex Hoy, Ligi Sao, Chris Satae, Kane Evans and Joe Lovodua all contracted to the MKM Stadium for next season, there is just one space left for Hodgson to use.

One of those in the mix is of course former Gold Coast Titans utility playmaker Will Smith who signed a short-term deal at the club a number of months ago until the end of the season.

Smith could be the new signing that Hodgson will want heading into 2023, but with Hoy, Jake Trueman and Lovodua all now set to be at Hull, there really is a surplus including the 30-year-old.

It is therefore unlikely that Smith will be kept on, especially with Jake Connor raring to go in 2023 and the likelihood of Jamie Shaul returning – though the latter’s future is still up in the air after spending the last few months at Wakefield Trinity.

The Black and Whites fans have been calling for the signing of another forward in recent weeks, particularly with Hodgson struggling in the pack without Ligi Sao and Chris Satae.

Andre Savelio and Joe Cator will return in 2023 after season-ending injuries sustained in 2022 whilst Brad Fash has enjoyed a stellar year in what has been an inconsistent Hull.

That being said, the Black and Whites perhaps need some more grunt in the back-row or even in the front-row to complement both Sao and Satae who have been superb this season.

Hull’s halves are sorted for 2023 in terms of Trueman and Hoy, but whether Luke Gale pens another deal or not remains to be seen.