Catalans Dragons

Hull FC send youngster on loan on to Super League rivals

by
Will Jackson
June 25, 2025

Hull FC youngster Denive Balmforth has joined up with Catalans Dragons on loan, the club have confirmed. The hooker will spend the rest of the season with the French club, with the Black and Whites having the option to recall him after two weeks.

Balmforth has been in and out of the first-team set up at the MKM Stadium this season making nine appearances for the club, with all but two off them coming off the bench. His last outing came at home to Castleford Tigers earlier this month, but he wasn’t used last week with Jack Charles selected to come off the bench against Salford Red Devils.

As such, Balmforth will hope to pick up some valuable minutes over the coming weeks and months in the south of France and Ben Garcia being banned for another three games yet, he looks set to be handed an instant opportunity.

“It’s just to get him some football at a good level,” Cartwright said in his Hull FC pre-season press conference. “The opportunity arose over there and he was getting limited game time here. It was perfect for us really, good for Denive and Catalans.

“[We just want him] to play against men at a good level. It’s hard to get opportunities for them in this conference, outside the first team it’s hard to get reserve grade football. It’s strictly about going out there and playing against men.”

Asked about Charles, who impressed after stepping onto the field for the final 20 minutes or so at Salford on Sunday Cartwright confirmed the youngster would be given a run within the side: “He’s worked really hard. Everything you ask Jack to do, he does it times two.

“You like rewarding them. It’s a good message to send to the rest of the squad. If you work hard and you’re patient, your opportunity isn’t too far around the corner.

“He’s just got to get his defence right, kick well, and find his spot in the side. He understands the game really well. It’s not just picking one thing that he’s going to get better at; what will make him better is the more chances we can give him at this level.”