Hull FC are up and running in 2026. Here are some talking points.
Hull FC’s Davy Litten celebrates scoring a try(Image: Paul Currie/SWpix.com)
Hull FC are into the Challenge Cup fourth-round draw, getting their competitive season up and running with a 60-0 victory away at Championship outfit Salford RLFC on Friday night. Here, Hull Live looks through some talking points.
Job done
Hull FC may have scored sixty points at Salford but they didn’t have it all their own way. Played in some heavy rain throughout, the reformed club deserve their plaudits – they were spirited, did what they could, and kept going, but eventually Hull’s Super League class told.
John Cartwright’s side weren’t perfect, but they did enough, and they certainly opened up more in the second half. In what at times was a difficult watch with penalty after penalty, they scored some good tries, with Davy Litten getting over for a hat-trick and Cade Cust a brace in what was an encouraging show of support play. They also kicked well throughout and never looked like conceding, with the zero points conceded probably more pleasing than the sixty scored. Overall, a satisfactory night, job done, and into Monday’s hat.
Jake Arthur’s first impression
Hull’s new half-back, Jake Arthur, made a really good first impression in competitive action. The Australian was dominant. He helped Aidan Sezer in controlling the game and put his stamp on it from the off. He got heavily involved, running the ball, kicking well, passing to effect and scoring a debut try.
Tougher tests obviously await, but that – with his family all there to support him, including Dad and Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur – was really encouraging. His pass to Harvey Barron for the winger to score was delicious and there were more examples as the night unfolded. He’s one to watch this year for sure, working alongside Hull’s skipper, who also got through unscathed before a planned interchange in the second half.
Elsewhere, it was also a good night for Litten, who, with Will Pryce not risked, looked to enjoy himself at full-back. He was always in the picture and finished his tries well, while Cust looked lively at both hooker and half-back.
Hull’s forward going under the radar
There’s been a lot of focus on Harvie Hill and Sam Lisone this pre-season and given they are two new signings, that’s only natural. There’s also been a lot of attention on Ligi Sao, and again, given he’s been out for 12 months due to injury, that’s only natural. For the record, all three props did well and were solid at Salford, but there’s one other doing his role to effect and worthy of a mention: Yusuf Aydin.
Starting at loose forward, the Turk went really strong again. His try typified his game, charging down a Salford kick and chasing hard to get Hull on the board for the first time. That effort level continued throughout as it always does but what impressed just as much was the velocity and impact of his carries.
Aydin ran the ball hard and made some good ground. For good measure, it was the same at Wigan in pre-season last week and the week before against Huddersfield. A fan favourite since his cross-city move from Hull KR, he is still a very important cog in the Hull pack and looks to be starting 2026 with a bang.
Jed Cartwright’s unlucky streak
If anyone deserves some luck this year, it’s Hull back row Jed Cartwright. As first reported by Hull Live back in November, the forward has made some lifestyle and diet changes in the off-season and, fitness-wise, is in tip-top condition after hamstring and pec issues last season. He started the game here looking to lay down a marker. In fact, the plan was to get some serious minutes under his belt but sometimes rugby league is a cruel beast and Cartwright ended up lasting 15 seconds.
The forward came off second best in the opening carry from the kick-off, with Cartwright looking to make a tackle on the Salford carrier and instead copping a ‘fair whack’ to his head – one that saw him head to hospital after several minutes of treatment on the field. Thankfully, he’s on the mend now but he’ll miss next week’s game against Bradford Bulls. Fingers crossed he gets a clean run after that. He’s put a lot of commitment into Hull and deserves a decent return from it.
The play-the-ball penalties
There were a lot of penalties given for ruck infringements against both Hull and Salford, but there were also a lot of infringements and slow rucks that went unpunished. Given the nature of the conditions, it was never going to be a fast, free-flowing game but it was certainly made uglier by the constant whistle blowing. Obviously, time and patience are needed as referees and players get used to the new interpretations, but there was a lack of consistency here and, to be honest, clarity on what could be let go and what was penalised. It’s a work in progress – but as Cartwright said post-match, no one watches rugby league to see constant penalties. Hopefully it’s something that will be tidied up as the year goes on, but for the record, the changes are ones that the Hull coach has welcomed and has already seen improvement on.
Next up
It’s Super League action up next for Hull, who host newcomers Bradford Bulls on Valentine’s Day in what is expected to be a huge crowd. The Black and Whites need to be right on it, and they’ve got an eight-day turnaround now to prepare for it, with the time to recover, reset, and get ready to go.
Super League 2026 Preview ON SALE NOW
The new Super League season is upon us and to get you ready for kick-off we’ve got the essential season preview ON SALE NOW.
Packed full of exclusive interviews with the game’s big hitters on and off the field, we also profile the new faces to watch out for and predict the biggest stories of the year. Featuring exclusive interviews from all 14 clubs, features, analysis and predictions, Super League 2026 really is your one stop shop for the new season.
Purchase your copy today, or in participating retailers, supermarkets and independents newsagents from Wednesday, February 4, 2026. For online orders, postage and packaging applies. Online orders will be dispatched from February 4, 2026.