Super League side Hull FC will face amateur outfit York Acorn in the Challenge Cup and we’ve predicted how they will line up based on the club’s current injuries and recent comments from head coach John Cartwright.
The Black and Whites have only played one pre-season game so far but they managed to defeat Castleford Tigers 16-10 in former player Joe Westerman’s testimonial.
There were a couple of surprise selections in that game, chiefly the fact that star signing Jordan Rapana played at centre which was something that Cartwright later put down to the former NRL man still finding his match fitness.
Finding match fitness will be point of order for much of the Hull FC squad and as such the Black and Whites are expected to go fairly strong, something Cartwright revealed at the post-match press conference.
He said: “No one with any niggles will play but we’re not going in thinking that it’s going to be an easy game. Games that are full whack are worth a truckload of training sessions so there will be a fair majority of first team out there playing.”
At Wednesday’s Super League season launch, the Australian confirmed to Serious About Rugby League that the backs would likely be young with a more experienced forward pack.
We’ve given a go at predicting how Hull FC will line up based on all those comments, our inklings and the club’s recent injury woes.
How Hull FC could line up against York Acorn in the Challenge Cup
Club Historian Bill Dalton looks back at the club’s history against community clubs in the Betfred Challenge Cup ahead of Sunday’s Third Round tie against @yorkacorn 🏆
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) February 5, 2025
Full-back: Logan Moy
Logan Moy did leave the field against Castleford but the youngster passed his HIA. He’s impressed thoroughly during the 2024 campaign and the off-season per those at the club so it’s likely he’ll get the nod.
Wingers: Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin
With the notion that the backs will be young, we’ve selected two youngsters on the wing and given former Challenge Cup winner Tom Briscoe the day off. Martin and Barron are the future at his position and both are certainly captable.
Centres: Zak Hardaker and Ryan Westerman
Centre/Second-rower Ed Chamberlain limped off after 20 minutes last week and Rapana may not be risked in fear of a freak injury before the season starts so the experienced head in the backs could be signing Zak Hardaker, pairing up with young talent Ryan Westerman.
Half-backs: Callum Kemp and Aidan Sezer
Sezer has been named club captain and it makes sense to have an old head in the halves in a game where it could get scrappy. Partnering him is Callum Kemp, one of the twins who Cartwright was hugely impressed with against Castleford meaning he could be rewarded with a start here.
Hooker: Denive Balmforth
The choice between Balmforth and Bourouh is a tough one but we’ve opted for the younger of the two with expectations being that Bourouh will be the starter a week later against Catalans.
Props: Jack Ashworth and Yusuf Aydin
Yusuf Aydin was banned for the friendly against Castleford and it will be key to get minutes in his legs with the same going for Jack Ashworth, meaning we’ve opted against the overseas duo of Herman Ese’ese and Ligi Sao.
Second-row: Jordan Lane and Will Gardiner
With both Ed Chamberlain and Jed Cartwright leaving the field last week and Ollie Holmes missing that game, we’ve gone with Jordan Lane and young Will Gardiner as the starters in the second-row.
Loose forward: Brad Fash
Just like Rapana, no need to risk John Asiata and Brad Fash is a brilliant replacement with 160 Super League appearances to his name.
Interchanges: Cade Cust, Ollie Holmes, Hugo Salabio, Zach Jebson
Cade Cust will provide cover at hooker and in the halves with the other three players all replacements in the pack. Hugo Salabio is very likely to get minutes and new signing Ollie Holmes could debut if fit.
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