Hull FC host Wigan Warriors tonight with the Black and Whites looking to build on their surprise Round One win, however, John Cartwright has seen injuries make that a far more difficult task.
The Black and Whites had a torrid 2024 with just three wins in all competitions and they faced arguably the toughest opening game in the calendar with an away trip to Catalans.
Despite that tough draw, FC impressed as they won 22-4 to take the two points home to Hull whereas tonight’s opponents Wigan failed in their bid for two points as they lost 1-0 after golden point to Leigh Leopards.
Wigan’s clash with Leigh was record-breaking for a number of reasons but it will have also been incredibly draining and with Las Vegas on the horizon, there could be a chance that Hull FC catch Matt Peet’s side out.
Incredibly, they have won their last three home games against Wigan in Super League but a bid for a fourth has been dented by injury. Here is how we expect each side to line up in Hull tonight.
Predicted Hull FC team
📋 John Cartwright has named his 21-man squad ahead of Friday’s Betfred Super League Round 2 clash against @WiganWarriorsRL at the MKM Stadium…
⚫️⚪️ #COYH | https://t.co/69MwiDLYU2
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) February 19, 2025
John Cartwright made four changes to his 21-man squad that had been named to face Catalans with three of those who drop out being enforced. Starters Jed Cartwright, Amir Bourouh and Zak Hardaker will all miss tonight’s game in a major blow for the Black and Whites.
There is also concern about whether Jack Ashworth will be able to play with the forward passing his HIA but then falling ill to a sickness bug, as revealed by Cartwright this week.
Ashworth was still named in the 21-man squad with young centre Ryan Westerman being the fourth change, however, there’s a boost in that Ed Chamberlain returns alongside youngsters Will Gardiner, Will Kirby and Will Hutchinson.
Chamberlain has been used in the second-row before but given the injuries at centre, he’ll likely play there alongside Tom Briscoe who featured there in Perpignan. Another option would be to play Jordan Rapana there, as he did in pre-season, with Logan Moy at full-back.
Denive Balmforth will replace Amir Bourouh in a like-for-like swap whilst Brad Fash could step up off the bench into the second-row to replace Cartwright.
Predicted Hull FC team: Jordan Rapana; Harvey Barron, Ed Chamberlain, Tom Briscoe, Lewis Martin; Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer; Herman Ese’ese, Denive Balmforth, Yusuf Aydin; Brad Fash, Jordan Lane, John Asiata
Interchanges: Jack Ashworth, Ligi Sao, Logan Moy, Hugo Salabio
Predicted Wigan Warriors team
📋 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀
Matt Peet has named his squad for our @SuperLeague trip to Hull FC!
Full squad news 👉 https://t.co/rJxoOkrOtU@MatrixFitnessUK | #WWRL #SLHULWIG pic.twitter.com/tZltTOgDUU
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) February 19, 2025
It seems a lot more simple for Matt Peet with the Wigan Warriors boss naming an unchanged 2-man squad, although there could still be changes to the starting XIII.
Winger Abbas Miski missed Round One with Zach Eckersley filling in instead and the Lebanon international could return this week, however, it’s likely a risk versus reward decision with Las Vegas in mind.
That could see Eckersley, who is a more than capable replacement, retain his position with Peet likely to name an unchanged side. Any changes would likely be rotation ahead of Las Vegas but as it it is just Round Two, that’s unlikely.
Predicted Wigan Warriors team: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Luke Thompson, Kruise Leeming, Liam Byrne; Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis
Interchanges: Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Tom Forber
