John Cartwright has aired a big Hull FC claim and rugby league reality after the club’s latest crushing injury blow.
10:08, 24 Feb 2026Updated 10:16, 24 Feb 2026
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright.(Image: SW PIX)
John Cartwright has insisted that Hull FC are doing everything they can to minimise injuries at the club and has stated that they are ‘down on soft tissue injuries’ from where they were last year.
However, the head coach has conceded that some injuries are down to ‘the nature of the game’, with rugby league getting faster and faster – a reality shown by new ruck interpretations that have sped up the play of the ball and the Super League competition in 2026.
And it’s not just Hull FC where the injuries have picked up this season, with the Black and Whites copping a crushing blow with star full-back Will Pryce rupturing his ACL at Wigan Warriors last week.
Elsewhere, St Helens have been dealt a sequence of long-term blows to Matty Lees (knee), Jack Welsby (shoulder), and now Jonny Lomax (broken arm). Castleford Tigers full-back Blake Taaffe has also torn his ACL, with new Catalans Dragons recruit Manase Kaho suffering the same fate in a pre-season match.
Hull KR also copped a serious pec injury to Arthur Mourgue last week, while Huddersfield Giants have numerous issues with the likes of Liam Sutcliffe out for three months. Wigan were also dealt a hefty blow to Jake Wardle last week.
It’s the brutal reality of rugby league, but once again, Cartwright is insistent that Hull – who thoroughly prepare and recover their players every week – are doing all they can to prevent and reduce their injury tolls, something which also affects the time taken to get them back on the field, with every precaution taken, as in the case of John Asiata this year.
“You always look at areas where you can get better and cutting down on injuries was a major one,” Cartwright said. “We’re actually down on where we were this time last year with soft tissue injuries.
“It’s just the nature of the game, I think. The game is getting faster and it’s taking its toll on players. I know we’re not the only club that has picked up a few injuries. In terms of the types of injuries you get, the soft tissue ones are the ones you tend to think you can assess what you do at training and go from there, but it’s a constant work in progress trying to avoid those things.
“It’s a tough game and you feel bad for the players straight away. It makes me laugh when people have cracks at players for being injured. I promise you, it’s the darkest moment of a player’s life.”
Meanwhile, Hull are currently weighing up their full-back options for Friday’s game against York Knights. They have the likes of Zak Hardaker, Davy Litten, Logan Moy, and Lloyd Kemp to call on, while getting salary cap dispensation to bring in a new recruit is also an option.