The new signing has laid out a crucial element for Hull FC in 2026.
05:00, 31 Jan 2026Updated 11:48, 31 Jan 2026
Hull FC back rower Joe Batchelor.(Image: Hull FC)
It may only be a pre-season friendly for Hull FC on Sunday afternoon, but new back rower Joe Batchelor isn’t expecting a friendly welcome.
Going up against Wigan Warriors, the former St Helens forward is set to wear the Airlie Birds’ colours for the first time, and he’ll do it at the home of his former club’s biggest rivals.
Featuring in Saints-Wigan derbies, Batchelor is well known to those in Cherry and White, but it’s the Black and Whites he’s eager to impress now after landing a three-year deal for the 2026 season and beyond.
“I’m fully fit and ready to go,” Batchelor, speaking to Hull Live, said. “I’m really enjoying myself. It’s a great group to come into and they’ve made me feel very welcome. We’ve put some good hard work in over pre-season but I’m really enjoying it and really enjoying being part of this team.
“We’ve got a hit out this weekend at Wigan in Liam Marshall’s testimonial. It’ll be good to get a few minutes into the legs and then we’re straight into it with the Challenge Cup and then, hopefully, we’ll be playing all the way through.
“Of course, you never expect any warm welcome from Wigan fans being an ex-Saint, but I’m sure they’ll be focused on Liam this week. It’s a big week for him, but it’s always nice to get one over them.”
Hull managed to do just that in league and cup last year, knocking Wigan out in a comeback thriller before victory once again in July. And while this one is only a friendly, it’s a reminder of the consistency Hull need to find this year to hit that level more often than not and achieve their goals.
“We’ve got to add to those sorts of performances,” Batchelor continued. “We’ve got to find that consistency in winning those games against the big teams.
“There’s the talent to do it in this team, but we need to do it consistently at those levels and do it throughout the season. We know nobody is going to give us anything. Last season, I wouldn’t say Hull went under the radar; no-one knew what to expect, and then they put the performances in at the start, got some big wins, and couldn’t quite back it up.
“It’s going to be tougher again this year. Everyone will be on their toes and they know what we’re capable of. We’ve got to be at it every week and it’s finding that consistency every single week, at home, away, wherever it is.
“If we want to be in those play-offs and challenging in those big games at the end of the season, we need to be right on it every week. Realistically, I think we can do anything this year, but we can’t expect that – we’ve got to go earn it.
“If we can add that consistency to some of the performances we’ve put in last year and add a real tough edge to us where we’re ready for the big games, then anything is realistic for this group, but again, it won’t be given to us.”
Sunday is Hull’s final pre-season game before competition action begins at Salford RLFC in the Challenge Cup next week. After that, it’s all guns blazing for Super League.
“We’ve got 9,000-plus members this year,” Batchelor added. “There’s not an expectancy, but there’s certainly an intrigue from the fans, and they’re going to be behind us and supporting us. We’ve got to reward that and put our best foot forward.
“After Wigan, we’ve got the cup, then it’s onto Bradford, and being their first game back in Super League, they’ll bring some numbers. I’m sure it will be a tasty contest and if it’s a contest then we’ve got to be right on it.”