Hull FC head coach John Cartwright is facing something of a crisis when it comes to his options at back-row.
The Black and Whites were already without Jed Cartwright and Ollie Holmes through injury prior to last week, while Ligi Sao has been ruled out for the rest of the year, too. Ranks were further depleted on Friday when makeshift second-rower Brad Fash picked up a calf injury.
And, with the club down the bare bones in the position, Jordan Lane and Ed Chamberlain picked up issues against Hull KR on Saturday. Lane broke his arm in the contest and will be looking at a lengthy lay-off, while Chamberlain, who was already out of position, twisted his knee and was forced off the field.
As such, Cartwright might have to get creative this week as he strives to put together a side for this weekend’s game against Warrington Wolves.
With that in mind, we take a look at some of the head coach’s pack options for the clash at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Injury hope
The Black and Whites will assess both Fash and Chamberlain today, with Cartwright failing to rule out the pair when speaking after the game on Saturday. Fash picked up a calf problem in training last week and wasn’t able to take part in captain’s run, but could be ready to feature against the Wolves.
The hope was that Chamberlain’s knee injury wasn’t too bad, either, but the club will know more today after further assessment. Both are makeshift options of course, with the pair used to playing elsewhere on the field, but the head coach will have everything crossed for good news regarding their respective issues.
Makeshift senior options
If either Fash or Chamberlain aren’t fit enough, Cartwright may find himself running the rule over the remainder of his squad for fresh options in second-row. Jack Ashworth did a fine job in the role in the second half of Saturday’s clash and he will be considered for the position at Warrington.
There isn’t too much back-row experience elsewhere, but Liam Knight played in the position briefly earlier in his career. The middle has made six senior appearances in the position, according to Rugby League Project, with his last outing in the role coming for South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2020.
John Asiata has also played in the position but his last outing there was in 2019 with North Queensland Cowboys.
Youth
Will Kirby might be the most obvious option for Cartwright, should the head coach look to youth this week. The 19-year-old has featured at first-team level on three occasions and most recently stepped off the bench for a brief appearance against Castleford Tigers in Super League.
His previous outings came against Salford Red Devils and York Acorn with the former coming in July last year. Zach Jebson is another option for the head coach, with the 20-year-old making 10 appearances for the Black and Whites so far in his career. Nine of those came last season with Jebson getting over for a Hull FC try in the penultimate game of the season against Salford.
He hasn’t featured under Cartwright just yet but he’ll be one worth considering this week. Lennon Clark is another young second-rower in the reserve ranks but he appears slightly further down the pecking order.
Recruitment
Cartwright failed to rule out the possibility of recruitment when asked by Serious About RL on Saturday afternoon with the head coach suggesting it could be something worth considering. Of course permanent options could be few and far between and the club don’t have too much room left under the cap following the arrival of Will Pryce.
However, a short-term loan from another Super League team could be an option for the Black and Whites, depending on who is out there and available. Any names would purely be speculation at this point but Ben Hellewell of Salford Red Devils is in need of game time after being unable to play due to the sustainability cap imposed on the club and might be available. Leon Ruan was one brought in by Hull last year and he could have been a potential option if FC weren’t facing off against Hull KR on Good Friday.
Hull FC man breaks arm as John Cartwright fails to rule out further additions https://t.co/pDHN6OUqcx
— Serious About Rugby League (@SeriousAboutRL) April 5, 2025
