Hull FC are believed to be closing in on the signing of Newcastle Knights half-back Jake Arthur ahead of next season. It is understood the signing is all but done with the 22-year-old playmaker being one of the final pieces of the Black and Whites jigsaw for next season barring any late change of heart.
If Hull can land the Australian, he would represent the club’s sixth signing for next season, joining Sam Lisone, Harvie Hill, Connor Bailey, Joe Batchelor and James Bell. And, the club aren’t finished there either with John Cartwright telling Serious About RL last week that FC are keen on adding a centre.
Arthur would be Hull’s 10th overseas signing but the understanding is that FC could make manoeuvres to free up more quota space over the coming months and that would allow the club to recruit an outside back from the NRL, should they fail to find a suitable target domestically, or even keep hold of Ligi Sao.
With a half-back in the offing, we’ve taken a look at how the west Hull outfit might line up next season.
Hull FC potential 2026 Super League line-up
Full-Back: Will Pryce
Pryce looks set to take on the full-back reins long-term at Hull and after struggling with injury this year, he’ll be expected to make himself the main man on the back of a strong pre-season next year.
Wing: Harvey Barron
It’s been an encouraging year for the towering winger as he hones his game and learns his trade. He’s still only 22 but this season he has scored 11 tries in 19 games and he’s only getting better.
Centre: Zak Hardaker
Hardaker has starred across the field for the Black and Whites this season and he’ll be looking to nail down a more regular spot next season. Cartwright’s desire to add a centre should be noted, though.
Centre: Davy Litten
Litten is rated very highly and if he continues on his current trajectory, he can become a Super League star. The 22-year-old ought to be on notice though regarding Cartwright’s centre comments.
Wing: Lewis Martin
Super League’s current top tryscorer is a star in the making. He’s touched down 27 times this year, which is a club record, and he’s still only 20.
Stand-off: Jake Arthur
Arthur looks set to make his second Knights appearance this weekend at North Queensland Cowboys, but he could well be one of Hull’s leading man in Super League. Should he put pen to paper, he’ll given the creative keys and asked to combine with Aidan Sezer.
Scrum-half: Aidan Sezer
The skipper has been one of the signings of the year. There’s no question marks about what he offers this team.
Prop: Herman Ese’ese
This doesn’t need much explaining. An undoubted starter.
Hooker: Amir Bourouh
The signing of Arthur would free Cade Cust up to spell Bourouh. The hooker has excelled at Hull and he can expect to play less minutes in the red zone physically next season, allowing him to do more of what he does best.
Prop: Liam Knight
Another impressive signing. He can play big minutes and when he’s fit and firing he’s a reliable figure through the middle.
Second-row: Jed Cartwright
Cartwright has shown what he can do when he’s at his best but the Black and Whites need to see more of him with injuries continuing to have an impact on his game time.
Second-row: Joe Batchelor
Batchelor looks a tidy addition in the back-row and having spent time in winning cultures at St Helens, he’ll add plenty.
Loose-forward: John Asiata
Like so many in this line-up, his presence in the side doesn’t need much explaining.
Bench: Cade Cust, Sam Lisone, James Bell, Harvie Hill.
Cust provides depth at hooker and also the halves should something go wrong, but in Lisone, Hill and Bell, Hull are adding size, depth and, in Hill’s case, potential to their pack options. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Hull add another one or two domestic faces to their forward ranks for next season either, just to give themselves strength in depth.
