Double injury return, ruck verdict, and a big win for the reserves – the latest Hull FC notebook.
05:00, 16 Feb 2026Updated 11:46, 16 Feb 2026
Hull FC academy player Rio Kassim has been training with the first team this year.(Image: Hull FC)
Hull FC got their Super League and reserve grade seasons up and running over the weekend, with some members of the squad also set to meet NRL opposition in training this week. Elsewhere, the club are hoping for two returns ahead of Saturday’s game at Wigan, while there is reaction to the Challenge Cup draw and more. Here is the latest notebook.
Double injury return
Hull could see two players return to their side for Saturday’s game at Wigan: Jake Arthur and Jed Cartwright. Arthur missed the Bradford opener with a hamstring issue. However, Cartwright confirmed post-match that it’s a minor injury and the player could have been pushed against the Bulls if desired. He will be within a chance of featuring at Wigan now, hoping to aid Hull’s spine dynamics and provide another kicking outlet alongside Aidan Sezer.
“He’s got a really cool head, he’s got a really good kicking game, and he’s a strong defender,” Cartwright said on Arthur. “His running game, too – he takes the line on and I think that will keep improving the longer he is here.
“The kicking game is massive. We were really looking for a right-footed kicker who can play number six outside of Aidan. We were fortunate to get him. It doesn’t matter where we land on the field now. Last year, we were probably more focused on landing on the right side for Aidan to kick. Now we can be anywhere, so long as we’re not on the sideline – we’ve got the kicks covered.”
Cartwright too is expected to make his return should he pass his final return-to-play protocols following a head knock. Hull were also missing Herman Ese’ese, John Asiata, and James Bell against the Bulls, with a late Cade Cust try sealing a 27-20 win.
John Cartwright’s play-the-ball take
Hull’s head coach is hoping the referees ‘find a good balance’ with the new play-the-ball interpretations and quicker rucks proving to be a big talking point after the opening round. Some coaches are all for them, while some have asked for clarity on what constitutes a penalty now amid some frustrating stoppages and massive swings in momentum.
“It’s new to everyone and it’s hard to get consistency when you don’t know what’s quick and what’s too quick,” Cartwright said. “Hopefully, they find a good balance. It’s the same for both sides; that’s all I will say, but sometimes you think that penalties and six agains will speed the game up. Well, penalties actually slow the game down.
“Hopefully, we can just find that balance. Yes, we want to see a fast, exciting, and open game, but constant penalties slow the game down. They’re on the right track and I believe in having a way more attractive game, but it might just take some time.“
Brisbane Broncos session
Hull FC will train alongside NRL premiers Brisbane Broncos today, with the Black and Whites running a session against the Queensland giants.
“They’re going to spend a bit of time at our facility on Monday,” Cartwright said. “It’s not ideal with us playing two names on Saturday, but we’ll provide some players for them so they can get a good opposed session in.”
The Broncos take on cross-city rivals Hull KR in the World Club Challenge on Thursday night.
Reserves up and running
Hull FC defeated London Broncos 44-22 in their first reserves game of the season on Saturday afternoon. The Black and Whites ran in nine tries in total, with Rio Kassim, Will Kirby, and Henry Watkinson all crossing for braces. Lennon Clark, Will Wilson and Elliot Middlemas all got over the line, with Lloyd Kemp adding four goals.
As can be the case in reserve games, both sides made plenty of errors early on, but once Hull composed themselves, they played some slick and expansive stuff, with Kassim really impressive in the centre spot, running strong all game and breaking out of numerous tackles. Matty Laidlaw also got through a mountain of minutes against some good Championship-level players.
Hull next play Wigan reserves on Sunday, with Warrington coming a week on Saturday. The two games will be played the day after the first-team outings against Wigan and York Knights, allowing maximum opportunity for young and fringe players alike to get important minutes.
“We’ve got some games coming up against decent opposition,” Cartwright said. “It would be nice if we had it every week. I think the game is working towards that, but it’s really important.
“Players want to play – they don’t want to train and it’s nice that we can put a Hull shirt on them and get them some good, tough games. They’ll get to play at a good level and against men who train full-time and that’s good for their development.”
Leigh cup draw
Hull take on Wigan, York, and Wakefield in the Super League before Challenge Cup action resumes again next month. Reacting to the draw and a big tie to come, Cartwright said: “We haven’t had much luck with our Challenge Cup draws, either this year or last year. You’ve got to beat everyone, anyway. It’s just the way the numbers come out of the barrel; we got Wigan last year, then Hull KR the following round, and now this year, we drew Leigh, so that’s the top three teams from last year.
“We had a fair record against Leigh last year and they’ll know that too. They’ll come out smarting. It won’t be an easy game. That’s the attitude we’ll take. You can’t take anyone easy. It’s disrespectful. We know we’ve got Leigh and it’ll be a tough game, but we’re looking forward to it.”