Hull FC boss addresses Leeds Rhinos forward Sam Lisone transfer reports

John Cartwright has addressed speculation linking Leeds Rhinos forward Sam Lisone with a move to Hull FC.

As first reported by Hull Live and Love Rugby League, the Black and Whites are thought to have an interest in signing Lisone for 2026, with the Leeds prop currently in the final months of his deal at Headingley.

Leeds are keen to keep hold of the prop, who has been in form this year, with sporting director Ian Blease making that clear and outlining the situation as he understands it.

With Hull entering the fray, though, Lisone will make the move that’s best for him, and that could well end up being a Headingley exit.

Of course, FC are already at capacity when it comes to overseas players as it stands but the expectation is that those quota spots will increase going into next year and their pursuit of Lisone depends on that.

However, with the reports emerging on Monday, the question was put to head coach John Cartwright at his press conference this afternoon.

Hull FC boss talks Sam Lisone links

“We’re talking to a lot of players but until we get clear clarification on what’s happening with the rules of the competition, that’s all it will be, it will just continue to be talk,” Cartwright said, crucially failing to rule out Lisone as an option.

Asked what Lisone could hypothetically bring, Cartwright added: “I don’t really want to get into it. There’s a lot of conversations going on with different players.

“Sam is a big, strong competitor who’s been around a while but until we know 100 per cent it’s just a bit of conjecture.”

Lisone isn’t the only forward Hull are currently looking at for next year, with talk ongoing about where Sam Eseh will be plying his trade next season. Eseh is contracted to Wigan for another season but he’s impressed on loan at Hull this season and Cartwright has made no secret of his desire to keep hold of the prop.

“We’ll have to see where we sit on the cap, whether it’s Sam Lisone or anyone else,” Cartwright added when asked how the pursuit of Lisone might impact a move for Eseh. “The thing with the salary cap and signing players is that it never sleeps, it’s 24/7 and it can change within any second of that time frame.

“I’ve been around a while and I don’t get excited until we know exactly who is going to be on our books.”