Hull FC will have a number of options for the 250th derbyJames Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc

16:20, 31 Mar 2026Updated 17:07, 31 Mar 2026

Hull FC back rower Joe Batchelor was a try scorer against Bradford.

Hull FC head coach John Cartwright is hopeful he may have a tougher selection decision to make this week for the derby with fresh faces to introduce in a short turnaround. But while FC could welcome back three of their most experienced players for the 250th derby at Craven Park on Friday, Cartwright’s assessment of the club’s pursuit for a new recruit offers a timely reminder of the need for further options.

Buoyed in recent weeks by first the presence and then the improving fitness and form of John Asiata and James Bell, FC’s pack and indeed their pivot options should increase this week with ex-St Helens star Joe Batchelor winning his own battle to face brother James on Good Friday. Meanwhile, Cade Cust is back from suspension and captain Aidan Sezer could even make a surprise return having initially been ruled out less than two weeks ago with a pectoral injury that could take up to six weeks to heal.

“Joe Batchelor is one who is very close and I am confident he will play,” explained FC coach Cartwright. “Aidan Sezer has come through some tough sessions and will hopefully be okay.

“Cade Cust comes back in because of the suspension, so it is nice to have a few players who are not coming in off the back of a short turnaround.

“Hopefully there’s a headache there, you want those headaches. If it wasn’t a quick turn around we’d know a bit more, but as it stands we’ll probably not know properly until the captain’s run.”

While Cartwright will be thankful for more senior options, there’s still gaps that need plugging and Liam Knight’s exit combined with Herman Ese’ese’s injury has left his side short on size through the middle. With Will Pryce out for the season and a quota place to play with, FC have been speaking for weeks now about a potential addition to strengthen the pack.

“There’s been no progression as far as that is concerned,” added Cartwright. “We are still looking and we keep saying we are not going to rush, but we are also getting pretty stretched in the middle forwards with Knighty leaving us and Herman injured. We are looking, but the boys on the field at the minute are doing a fantastic job for us.”