Latest news with #JohnCartwright
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hull FC reach Liam Knight contract verdict as huge retention coup delivered
Hull FC have extended the contract of prop forward Liam Knight, fending off competition from at least one Super League rival to re-sign the player. Hull, namely head coach John Cartwright, have made no secret of their desire to keep Knight after reports from Hull Live. This outlet first reported back in April the club's intention to offer the prop, who arrived back in February on a contract until the end of the current season, a new deal, with that deal now understood to be completed. Advertisement Fellow Super League club Warrington Wolves were also interested in the player, with head coach Sam Burgess, a former teammate of Knight at South Sydney Rabbitohs, admitting so in a recent press conference. However, Hull Live understands it's the Black and Whites who have secured the Aussie's future, with the 30-year-old, who turns 31 next January, ever present for Cartwright's side since joining the club. READ MORE: Hull FC's State of Origin remit as John Cartwright makes exciting damage verdict READ MORE: Hull KR's unlikely boost as treble hopes strengthen while doing nothing Landing a firm piece of retention, Hull have agreed terms with the front rower, who has impressed since arriving from Australia three months ago. To date, Knight has 13 Hull appearances to his name, with the player now set to ply his trade in the black and white once again next year. Advertisement Knight's new deal comes off the back of an expected quota player extension, as first reported by Hull Live this month. Currently, clubs are allowed to use seven spots for quota players. However, the understanding is that the limit will be extended to at least eight players next season with the potential still for more. Hull had seven players already signed up for 2026, including new signing James Bell, with the extension allowing them to keep Knight. The quota limit could yet be extended further, but clubs are still awaiting confirmation from the RFL on the stance for their 2026 allowance, a frustrating process for all. However, it's expected that the allowance will be confirmed soon, with Hull wasting no more time in tying down one of their most impressive new signings. As well as Knight and Bell, they have Jed Cartwright, Cade Cust, Herman Ese'ese, Jordan Rapana, and Aidan Sezer all on their quota limit next year. Ligi Sao too is out of contract. However, the player naturally needs to complete his rehab from a cruel season-ending knee injury and show his capacity to still play at this level before any decision is made on his future – pending the outcome of the quota extensions. He is understood to be making good progress.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jack Rampton latest as Hull FC seek loan move for speedster trialist
Hull FC are hoping to find on trial winger Jack Rampton a Championship or League 1 loan move. The rugby union convert is currently training with the Black and Whites on a trial deal, with the player 'determined' to make it in rugby league. Advertisement The 24-year-old, who has played 7s internationally in the union code for Jamaica, debuted for the club's reserves side against Hull KR earlier this month, scoring an eye-catching 90-metre interception try. Full of pace and standing at six feet four, Rampton has the physical attributes to make it in the sport, with John Cartwright hoping to give the speedster as many chances to shine as possible. The reserves have four games remaining this year, with the next outing against St Helens on Friday, 4 August. However, a move to the lower leagues at senior level is hoped to be another option in the coming weeks. READ MORE: Hull FC boss issues 'no science' take to improvement as injury returns not ruled out READ MORE: John Cartwright reacts to Hull FC defeat as search goes on for key performance answer Advertisement Asked by Hull Live if any moves are forthcoming, Cartwright said: "I hope so. We're trying. We want to give him as many playing opportunities as we can. He seems to have settled in really well. "He's only been here for a couple of weeks, but he's done a lot of travelling during his career with the 7s, so he's used to being in different environments. He's very determined to make it here, and that's a big bonus for him as well. "We've got to get him some football. We've only got four games left in the reserve grade. He'll play here as much as he possibly can, but it'd be lovely to get him a gig on a weekly basis. He's got all the skills – it's just that the game is new to him. "We can train him as much as we like – that will help – but the real help will come when we can play him week to week at a decent level. He's got a basic knowledge – he can catch, pass, and run – it's just tying that into rugby league – sometimes that can be a bit difficult." Advertisement Meanwhile, Cartwright is hoping to use the reserves as a springboard to push some of the club's younger and more fringe talent to first team level. That was the case for Jack Charles, who used his opportunities playing for the second string to propel him to the first team, appearing in victory at Salford Red Devils last week. "That's why Jack was promoted," Cartwright said. "It was his effort at training and in the reserve games – he really took things on board and led. He's played really well. "Anyone who keeps continually doing that, when there is an opportunity, we will look for those guys and give them a reward. He's a great kid, Jack, and he loves the club. He's a very committed rugby league player, and he wants to make a career of it." As for loan moves, Hull currently have a handful of their players at other clubs. Denive Balmforth has just joined Catalans Dragons, while Hugo Salabio is at Castleford Tigers. In the Championship, young trio Will Kirby, Ryan Westerman, and Joe Ward are at Hunslet, with Lennon Clark at Whitehaven. The club are also using their dual registration partnership at Doncaster, with Brad Fash, Will Gardiner, and Logan Moy all playing for the Dons in recent weeks.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How Hull FC shape up with Sam Lisone signing and other new recruits
Hull FC are in the midst of another big recruitment drive as they look to improve their squad for the 2026 season and beyond. Already signing a quartet of players for next year, Hull have now acquired Leeds Rhinos prop Sam Lisone following confirmation of a quota extension that will increase the overseas spots to ten per Super League club. Advertisement That has allowed Hull, who were already at the current allocation of seven and have since extended Liam Knight's deal, to sign Lisone, plus acquire one further quota player should they desire. READ MORE: Hull FC notebook as recruitment ongoing, grudge match ahead and six again beef aired READ MORE: 'Enormous' Hull FC talents lead way as Jordan Rapana criticism addressed But what areas will John Cartwright and Richie Myler turn to next? Hull have already signed four forwards; two middles – James Bell and Harvie Hill – and two back rowers – Joe Batchelor and Connor Bailey – for 2026, with Lisone's hoped acquisition being a fifth addition to the pack. Advertisement Forwards have been the area of focus so far, with Hull stretched in the middle and on the edge. It's hoped that sufficient reinforcements have now been acquired, allowing the likes of Zak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain, who have played in the back row for the last three months, to compete for the centre spots once again alongside Davy Litten. As for the last quota spot, and indeed their domestic recruitment drive, Hull have two areas to go to: centre or the spine. That decision will likely depend on what is available (both now and for 2027), what fits best, and what complements the team the most, but there's no doubt this organisation won't sit still in their pursuit to build a competitive team that can challenge again. There are also some contract decisions still to come which could impact the direction Hull goes. The likes of Tom Briscoe are out of contact come the season's end, with decisions also to come on young players like Matty Laidlaw, who has featured in the first-team in recent weeks. Here is a breakdown of how things stand right now. Hull's out-of-contract list Jack Ashworth, Tom Briscoe, Zach Jebson, Will Gardiner, Matty Laidlaw, Jordan Lane, Ligi Sao, Sam Eseh (loan), Liam Watts Advertisement Briscoe wants to play on into next year and has made no secret about his desire to stay at Hull, fight for a spot, and mentor the young players. Elsewhere, Ashworth is expected to join Lane at Castleford Tigers, while Eseh is contracted at parent club Wigan. Hull will have to pay a transfer fee to keep him, should the Warriors allow the player to leave. As for Hull's younger first-team players, Laidlaw could be turning heads after his recent first-team involvements, while the likes of Gardiner are playing on dual reg at Doncaster. Rugby union 7s player Jack Rampton is currently on trial with the club and set for another run out for the reserves on Friday night. 2026 squad Full-Back: Will Pryce, Jordan Rapana, Logan Moy, Lloyd Kemp Advertisement Hull are well stocked at full-back, with Will Pryce signed mid-season on a three-and-a-half-year deal. Pryce seems the front runner for the spot, making it his own before his hamstring injury. Elsewhere, Rapana is contracted for another year, while Moy still has two years to run. Kemp too is another younger player who can double up at centre. Wing: Harvey Barron, Lewis Martin The club's two young wingers are signed up long-term, but Hull could opt to bolster the position with some experience. Again, Briscoe has made no secret of his desire to stay at Hull, while Rapana can also fill in here. Centre: Zak Hardaker, Ed Chamberlain, Davy Litten, Ryan Westerman Advertisement Litten has impressed in the centre at times this year and still has room to grow. It'll also be interesting to see how Hardaker and Chamberlain adapt to the centre spot again, while Westerman is one for the future. Half-Back: Aidan Sezer, Cade Cust, Jack Charles, Callum Kemp Sezer is expected to lead the side again next year with Charles and Kemp learning off Hull's skipper. Cust, who can double up as a hooker, is contracted for another year, but how Hull use their final quota spot, on the presumption the allowance goes to 10, will be interesting. Prop: Herman Ese'ese, Liam Knight, Harvie Hill, Yusuf Aydin, Brad Fash, Hugo Salabio, Sam Lisone Advertisement Hull signed up Ese'ese on a long-term deal earlier this year, while Knight has recently been signed up for next season. That sorts Hull's starting middles with Hill to come off the bench. There is depth in Yusuf Aydin and Brad Fash and more to come pending the contract decisions of current players, with Lisone adding the desired impact the club has sought off the bench. Salabio is also contracted for another year. Hooker: Amir Bourouh, Denive Balmforth, Will Hutchinson Bourouh is contracted for two more years, with the challenge now for Balmforth and Hutchinson to kick on and force their way into the team, spelling the position with Hull's starting dummy half. Balmforth is currently on loan at Catalans, while Hutchinson is highly rated by many figures at the club. Back Row: Jed Cartwright, Joe Batchelor, Connor Bailey, Will Kirby Advertisement Cartwright is contracted for 2026 and will hope for better luck with injury next season. Elsewhere, Batchelor and Bailey are two new recruits adding some freshness to the position. Kirby, too, is a highly rated young player. Loose Forward: John Asiata, James Bell Hull's most important player is still contracted for another two years, with Bell signed to spell the role. It could prove to be a shrewd addition and will ensure the way Hull wants to play never wavers. Here's hoping the rest of the club's recruitment is just as strategic.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
John Cartwright's 'close' verdict as Hull FC set sights on big season first
John Cartwright believes Hull FC's elusive home win this season is 'close', with his side throwing everything into ensuring they are physically and mentally prepared for Thursday's clash with Wakefield Trinity Advertisement The head coach, aware of the importance of the contest, has focused on preparation at training, with Hull undergoing a short turnaround, well aware of their fix-ups going into what is another big Super League clash. But they also know that if they add some polish to their effort and hard work beliefs, completing sets and playing on their terms, then they will have a genuine chance of winning games, with the final third and business end of the season drawing near. READ MORE: Hull FC forward charged by RFL as one suspension handed out in latest verdict READ MORE: Hull FC notebook as recruitment ongoing, grudge match ahead and six again beef aired Advertisement Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Cartwright said: "Everything is being thrown into getting that elusive home win. I feel it's close. "There is certainly no lack of effort in the players, and we're not playing any different from what we were. Sometimes we think too much about it. We've mentioned some error counts where we haven't been where we want to be, but the main focus for us this week has been getting physically and mentally ready for the challenge to come Thursday night. "We've just got to be consistent with our approach and what we believe in and what we base our training on, our pre-season on. We've got to stay true to those beliefs, and they are all centred around hard work and doing our extras and preparing the best we can. Those are the messages we'll get across between now and the end of the year." Get those messages sinking in, and Cartwright believes the confidence and capability are there to achieve their goals and finish inside the play-off spots. Advertisement "We've got to keep turning up with that same determination to defend our try line," he explained. "Again, I'm talking like a broken record, but we've got to make sure we get to the end of our sets as often as we can and give them the ball down their own end. "It's only been the last three or four games where we've been really poor in that area, but we've focused on the positives this week, and we've been honest. There is no ducking and diving. We've been honest with our appraisals, and we're attacking the challenge. "Earlier in the year, we weren't having these problems. A lot of people around you can all be doom and gloom when you're not getting the results, but for us as a group, players, and coaches, in our minds, we've got to look forward to it—we've got to look to attack these situations. "Our preparation in general has been very good. There have not been many games where we haven't had a chance of winning come the 80th-minute mark. Keep doing that often enough, and we will get confidence and hopefully turn that into more wins." Advertisement Aware of the challenges of Wakefield, Cartwright added: "They are a really good side. They throw the ball around, and they really test you defensively. They've got plenty of resolve, and they've beaten some really good sides, and like us, they're in the game until the final whistle. Oppositions like that are always dangerous sides. "We just need to put the ball where we'd like to put it, which hasn't been our strength, especially the last three weeks. But nothing will change – we've just got to be better at what we do and limit their classy players as best as we can."
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hull FC notebook as recruitment ongoing, grudge match ahead and six again beef aired
Hull FC host Wakefield Trinity this Thursday night, with the side aiming for their first home victory of the year. Elsewhere, the signing of Sam Lisone has been confirmed by the club, with the recruitment drive ongoing, while there are musings on six agains, reserves, and the like. Here is the latest notebook. Advertisement Home win craved There's no bigger incentive for Hull this Thursday night, who are targeting a home victory for the first time in almost a year. The Black and Whites' last success at the MKM Stadium was against Wigan Warriors back in July 2024, with a scalp over Wakefield not only getting the monkey off their back but also reigniting their play-off charge. Trinity currently sit a point ahead of Hull in the table and leapfrogged them after last weekend's results. But Hull can return the favour here, with John Carwright airing the side's desperation to do just that. "The players and the staff—everyone—hurt like the fans when we don't get a result," Cartwright said. "There's nothing better, after a win, than seeing the fans just enjoying themselves and putting smiles on their faces. Everything is being thrown into getting that elusive home win. I feel it's close." You can read his full preview here. READ MORE: Investigation opened as Hull KR incident goes viral on social media Advertisement READ MORE: 'Enormous' Hull FC talents lead way as Jordan Rapana criticism addressed Old faces return The clash against Wakefield sees ex-Hull FC duo Josh Griffin and Cam Scott return to the MKM Stadium for the first time since leaving the club. The duo are players Harvey Barron knows well, with the winger telling Hull Live: "The way that Griff went, it was a bit sour, so I think he'll have a point to prove, but Griff came here and won the Challenge Cup; he's a legend of the club. I still speak to Cam. He's going well, and it will be nice to see him, but we'll talk afterwards." Six again inconsistencies Speaking of Havey Barron, the winger aired his thoughts on ongoing flop issues and a controversial captain's challenge when speaking to Hull Live this week. It's an issue John Cartwright is also frustrated with. Advertisement The head coach said: "It's a weekly thing, understanding why those that are given are given and why those that are not given are not given. You go through a lot of different tackles, and at the end of the day, you just keep scratching your head. "It's hard to work out why they're given, but probably more so why they're not given in the same situations. I can understand the fans' frustration with it—it's frustrating for players and coaches as well." Sam Lisone signed and sealed As exclusively reported by Hull Live, Sam Lisone will be a Hull FC player next season, with the impact prop signing a two-year deal with the club for the 2026 season and beyond. The 31-year-old is the impact front-rower desired by the club and is the fifth new recruit for next year. Advertisement The club has also signed St Helens duo James Bell and Joe Batchelor, Wigan prop Harvie Hill, and York back rower Connor Bailey. On the retention front, Liam Knight is also signed. You can view how Hull are shaping up for 2026 here. But what comes next? Hull, with the passing of the quota extension, has further recruitment opportunities to explore. One of those saw them get the scope to sign Lisone, but they, as it stands, still have one quota spot to use. The expectation is that a centre or spine player will be sought, but it depends on what is available and what Hull can facilitate, both in terms of a deal and what's left on the salary cap. But as John Cartwright said to Hull Live last week, the recruitment game changes all the time, sometimes even in the same day. But it is something Hull are on top of, and it would be very naive to rule out a further signing. Advertisement Reserves win Hull FC's reserve side made it five victories in a row with a 14-10 success over St Helens last Friday night. Tries came from Callum Kemp, Ben Johnson, and Joe Ward, with Francis Cummins side now seven wins from nine this season. They are sat in fourth place in the table, level on points with Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves. They play Wigan up next on Saturday, 19 July.
