The 2026 Super League campaign promises to be a big one for Hull FC and John Cartwright. The Black and Whites made huge strides forward last year and finished marginally outside of the play-offs, but eyes will be on how they build on that.
They’ve recruited well, with Cartwright going into the season with a powerful pack full of new faces. And, in Jake Arthur they have a new half-back to lead their attack alongside Aidan Sezer.
As such, the expectation in west Hull will be that FC continue on their upwards trajectory and claim a play-off spot for the first time since 2020.
However, despite their impressive 2025, it’s fair to say that a number of players are approaching the new season with something to prove.
Here’s a look at just some of them.
Hull FC players with something to prove in 2026.
Jed Cartwright
There can be no denying that Cartwright is capable of making a real impact in this Hull side when he’s fit and firing. The issue, though, is that he hasn’t been fit and firing anywhere near enough.
The back-rower joined Hull in June 2024, but since then he has made just 16 appearances, 11 coming last season, with injuries consistently getting the better of him. As such, Cartwright has been something of a source of frustration for Hull fans over the last season or so, but they’ve all seen enough to know he’s capable of being one of the best back-rowers in the competition on his day.
As such, Cartwright will be determined to stay injury free and finally put a lengthy run of games together in a Hull shirt. And, with his contract expiring at the end of the year, he has a new deal to play for, too.
Jake Arthur
Arthur arrives in Hull after what can only be described as a difficult spell in the NRL. The stand-off was allowed to leave Manly Sea Eagles to join Newcastle Knights midway through last season and while Arthur did see first grade action, it wasn’t pleasant.
The Knights were convincingly beaten in all five of the games Arthur played in the NRL and while he can’t be blamed for the club picking up the wooden spoon, he did pick up some criticism from supporters. As such, the half-back arrives in Hull desperate to start fresh and show he can cut it at first grade level.
The pressure will be on him from the start of the season at the MKM Stadium, but with Will Pryce and Aidan Sezer around him in the spine, he’ll be backing himself to prove some of those critics wrong.
Logan Moy
Moy struggled a bit last season. The full-back entered the year as one of the brightest young talents at the MKM Stadium and while he was involved with regularity earlier in the season, he struggled for opportunities as the campaign progressed.
The 20-year-old failed to make a single appearance for the club between mid-April and September and spent time away at Doncaster on dual registration. The head coach looked to Lloyd Kemp when he needed a full-back in that time.
Moy will be determined to impress over the remainder of pre-season then and establish himself as the next cab off the rank should first-choice full-back Will Pryce miss any game time.
Hugo Salabio
Salabio made the switch from Huddersfield Giants to Hull FC in December, but the Frenchman went on to spend a chunk of the season on loan at Castleford Tigers after struggling to assert himself in black and white.
He made five appearances for Hull last season, but if he’s to earn a new deal and prolong his Super League career, he knows he needs to make more of an impact in 2026.
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