Hull FC have cap space, a quota spot, and some big decisions to make.
05:00, 02 Mar 2026Updated 08:54, 02 Mar 2026
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright.(Image: SW PIX)
Hull FC are weighing up recruitment options after a crazy week that saw Will Pryce ruled out for the season with an ACL injury and Liam Knight mutually released on compassionate grounds with immediate effect.
Both situations give Hull the opportunity to recruit a new signing(s), with the club set to be granted salary cap dispensation to reuse Pryce’s salary in their 2026 squad. Knight’s exit also gives them further cap space and a quota option – providing the scope to look at the NRL market for overseas players.
It’s fair to suggest Hull have a fair chunk to spend here – and depending on what road they go down, there could be the opportunity to bring in more than one player. They certainly have the opportunity to bring some decent quality in and naturally there are plenty of options to go at, with many positions of interest.
But which positions are in desperate need of strengthening? Will Hull go like for like? Or look elsewhere? They are all questions they will weigh up – with head coach John Cartwright telling Hull Live in Friday’s post-match press conference that it’s not as simple as just recruiting a Pryce replacement. He also confirmed they won’t rush into any final decision.
Full-back
It’s a tough ask to internally replace the quality that Pryce brings to the table – he’s such a unique and vibrant talent – but it’s a position they do have depth in at least, and certainly compared to other roles.
Davy Litten deputised in the position against York Knights on Friday night and while there were a couple of errors in his game, there were also some bright moments. He will get better the more he plays there. There are also other options in Zak Hardaker, Logan Moy, and Lloyd Kemp.
Hardaker is getting up to full speed after a recent ankle issue and proved last year he can do a job, while Moy got some welcome minutes in the tank for the reserves at Warrington Wolves over the weekend, with Kemp also no stranger to the role.
There are options for Hull here, and there’s also the reality that a full-back signing for the rest of 2026 would be a one-year addition. Pryce is going to return for 2027 and he’ll be a key part of the side when he does. There is certainly an argument to suggest there’s a greater need to strengthen elsewhere, both for now and for next season and beyond.
Prop
The other like-for-like option is to bring in a front rower to replace Knight, but with Herman Ese’ese expected to return in April, and with Harvie Hill, Ligi Sao, Sam Lisone, Brad Fash, Yusuf Aydin, et al., all on the books, not to mention two loose forwards in John Asiata and James Bell that, when fit, are guaranteed to be in the matchday 17, Hull are well stocked. Again, it could be argued a new prop is not the most pressing matter, not when considering the edge positions and the manoeuvring Hull have to do in the imminent future – starting at Wakefield this Thursday night.
Back row/centre
These are the spots where Hull – at least on first glance – need help. Joe Batchelor is out for around six weeks with a calf injury, while the extent of a hamstring blow for Jed Cartwright is to be determined. But Cartwright Senior has already confirmed the player is a doubt for Thursday’s game, putting Hull in exactly the same situation as last year with both of their first-choice back rowers out.
Last season, that saw centres Zak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain step up to the role. This year it’s likely to be Arthur Romano, who played back row against Bradford and could do so again alongside Connor Bailey. That would allow Hardaker to remain at centre and Litten at full-back, with Tom Briscoe coming into the team, but whether it’s viable long-term is up for question.
Hull may feel they need some strike on their edge – whether back row or centre – and that could be more pressing than recruiting like-for-like. They have previously voiced their desire for a strike centre and should the recruitment opportunity presented now allow them to get one, it may be too good to pass by.