The hooker is set to line up against his parent club.

14:19, 25 Feb 2026Updated 14:31, 25 Feb 2026

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 20/02/2026 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 2 – Leeds Rhinos v York Knights – AMT Headingley, Leeds, England – Denive Balmforth.

Denive Balmforth is set to play against Hull FC this Friday night, with the 22-year-old named in York Knights’ 21-man squad. The Black and Whites hooker is on a season-long loan at the Super League newcomers and is free to line up against his parent club at the MKM Stadium.

Hull Live has been told there is no agreement in the loan deal that prevents Balmforth from playing against Hull – with such detail key in getting the deal over the line. It was the same factor that allowed Ed Chamberlain – also on a season-long loan – to play for Bradford Bulls against Hull in the opening round earlier this month.

Balmforth is spending the season in North Yorkshire with the view of gaining the necessary Super League experience to make a fist of it at Hull long-term. He signed a new three-year deal at the club last season and is contracted with the Black and Whites for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

But Friday could bring a unique situation, with Balmforth lining up against the club he signed for back in 2022. He has featured in all three of York’s league and cup games so far this season, spelling the hooker role with veteran dummy-half Paul McShane – who had a loan spell at Hull early on in his career.

Elsewhere, former Hull players Liam Harris, Josh Griffin, Jordan Thompson, and King Vuniyayawa are named in the York squad. The Knights are one from two to start the Super League season, defeating Hull KR on the opening night before losing to Leeds Rhinos last week.

York 21-man squad: 1. Toa Mata’afa, 2. Ben Jones Bishop, 4. Sam Wood, 5. Scott Galeano, 6. Mafoa’aeata Hingano, 7. Liam Harris, 8. Jack Martin, 9. Paul McShane, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Josh Griffin, 12. Jesse Dee, 13. Jordan Thompson, 14. Denive Balmforth, 15. Xavier Va’a, 16. Justin Sangare, 19. Danny Richardson, 20. Oli Field, 26. Nikau Williams, 31. King Vuniyayawa, 35. Myles Harrison, 46. David Nofoaluma