Hull FC notebook: Full-back call looms, loan army update, and academy season underway.
15:46, 09 Mar 2026Updated 16:12, 09 Mar 2026
Hull FC’s Davy Litten has played the full-back spot for the last two games.
Hull FC will look to get their 2026 season up and running with a welcome Challenge Cup victory on Saturday afternoon. The Black and Whites head over the Pennines to take on Leigh Leopards in the last 16 round, with both sides coming into the tie on the back of three consecutive Super League defeats.
A big selection call is set to come on Hull’s full-back spot, with the side getting three sessions under their belts this week and a team run. Elsewhere, five FC players were in action out on loan over the weekend, while the academy side also began their 2026 season on Saturday. Here is the latest notebook.
Full-back call
John Cartwright has a big selection call to make at full-back this week, with the Hull head coach stating he will ‘look’ at his options during the week and ‘make some decisions’. The club – who are on the hunt for a new signing following salary cap dispensation and the opening of a quota spot after Liam Knight’s release – have played Davy Litten in the role for the last two games following Will Pryce’s ACL injury and could do again against the Leythers.
And while Litten has made errors, there’s also been some good in his game – and that shouldn’t be forgotten. He made 189 metres at Wakefield, adding to the 184 he made against York Knights. He’s also carried the ball 45 times over the last two games. Those numbers – while not the be-all and end-all – should not be lost. They show the energy Litten brings to the table. He’s a strong carrier of the ball and clearly gets through plenty of work. That’s crucial to Hull, who will weigh everything up before they make a final call.
Obviously, they have options to call on elsewhere. Zak Hardaker has slotted into full-back for Hull before but has had an ankle issue to start the season. Teenager Lloyd Kemp is also an option, as is Logan Moy, who played on loan for Halifax Panthers over the weekend. There’s plenty for Cartwright and co. to ponder – but it would be naïve to write off Litten, who first broke onto the scene as a full-back, just yet.
The loan army
Moy took the club Man of the Match award for Halifax against London Broncos on Sunday afternoon. Starting at full-back, the 20-year-old signed an initial one-week loan deal with the Championship club, with his appearance just his second of the year after recovering from a calf injury picked up in pre-season. Moy was joined by Hull teammate Hugo Salabio, who featured off the bench at the Shay. London ran out 42-4 winners.
Elsewhere, Matty Laidlaw started at prop for Hunslet away at Widnes Vikings, with the Leeds-based outfit just coming up short 32-26. The 21-year-old has signed a four-week loan spell at the Championship outfit, with gametime and first-team experience sought.
Ed Chamberlain – on a season-long loan at Super League outfit Bradford Bulls – was also in action on Saturday night in the 26-22 loss to St Helens. The player copped a knee injury, with further details to come.
Denive Balmforth – also out on a season-long loan – was a try scorer for York Knights in their 38-30 defeat to Warrington Wolves, supporting a break from deep and showing his pace to score untouched.
The injury front
A lot has been made of Hull’s injury totals in recent times, but it could be worse. Spare a thought for Huddersfield Giants, now without 14 players after injuries at the weekend to George Flanagan, Matty English, Kieran Rush, and Olly Russell crippled their already decimated side. St Helens, already without some key players due to long-term issues, were also dealt a broken leg for new signing Jacob Host, while Nene Macdonald has been doing it tough at the start of the season and now has a new unspecified issue.
And not that we’re into conspiracy theories, but the full-back crisis across Super League is mad. Flanagan is the latest and adds to a list containing Will Pryce, Jack Welsby, Niall Evalds, Arthur Mourgue, Bailey Hodgson, David Armstrong, and Blake Taffe. Jai Field is also out with illness, while there was a hamstring scare for Bevan French, stepping into the role away at Toulouse. Mental stuff.
Academy start season with defeat
Hull’s academy side were defeated 30-28 at Wakefield Trinity on Saturday afternoon. The game finished five tries apiece as goal kicking proved the difference following a second-half comeback from the Black and Whites. They trailed 18-0 at half-time but rallied after the break, with try braces coming from Caleb Paleaaesina and Rhys Yorke. Kirils Prigorkins also crossed over while Finlay Davies kicked four goals.
There is more lower-grade action this weekend, with the reserves going up against Hull KR at Cottingham Tigers on Sunday, 15 March. Kick-off is at 2:30pm.