![\"Hull](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2_AM2_0139.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Hull FC boss on his desired traits, replicating last week’s plan, and Catalans’ threats.<\/p>\n
Hull FC prop Ligi Sao.<\/p>\n
Hull FC got the win their season craved against Leeds Rhinos last week and now the message is simple: go again. The Black and Whites host Catalans Dragons on Sunday afternoon, fully aware that another tough test awaits, but it’s one they know they must prevail in to keep their Super League campaign on track.<\/p>\n
John Cartwright’s side \u2013 basing last week’s win on strong completion rates and stern defence \u2013 are targeting a play-off spot in 2026 and currently sit two from five to start the year.<\/p>\n
They know they need another two competition points now to follow the pace, and there lies their biggest test, with a lack of consistency been their undoing in a failed play-off assault last term. Easing themselves into a fresh campaign, the head coach knows the same mistakes cannot be made again.<\/p>\n
“We’re aiming for consistency,” Cartwright, speaking to Hull Live, said ahead of the clash. “You have little dips and you’ve just got to make sure those dips aren’t big dips, hills and valleys; you’ve just got to get a steady line across.<\/p>\n
“That’s our challenge now. We were very intense from the start last week. We completed our sets very highly, which enabled us to put pressure on them.<\/p>\n
“It sounds like a simple plan, but it’s hard to execute and keep putting them into positions where they don’t want to be and play with that hunger and energy that we found at the weekend, but that’s what we need to consistently do to win games.”<\/p>\n
There’s no denying the pressure Hull \u2013 with some outside noise beginning to get internal \u2013 felt against Leeds, with the victory ending a run of four successive defeats in all competitions.<\/p>\n
“It was much needed, especially on the back of losing three games in Super League and going out of the Challenge Cup,” Cartwright continued. “You don’t want to be in those positions, but I thought we handled the occasion pretty well.<\/p>\n
“Going into the game, I don’t think many people gave us a chance of winning, but the belief in the squad had always been there and it was good to see it come out on the scoreboard. We need more of the same now.<\/p>\n
“Every game is different and the build-up to it. There was a fair bit riding on that game last week, and we’ll look at it the same this week. But winning builds winning so that’s what we’d like to do now and get on a bit of a roll. It started last week, and it would be nice to go and do it again and make it back-to-back at home.”<\/p>\n
Facing an improved Catalans side, Hull know nothing is a given in Super League, with the competition already showing its unpredictability.<\/p>\n
“It’s a funny competition at the moment and there are a lot of sides winning that weren’t given chances before the kick off,” Cartwright said. “Injuries have obviously played their part and we are no different.<\/p>\n
“What we envisioned our team to be at the start of the year, we’ve got half the squad sat on the sideline watching. It’s been the guys that have come in that have done a great job for us.”<\/p>\n