It has been reported elsewhere that Hull FC have signed Leeds Rhinos wrecking ball Sam Lisone for next season, so editor Nathan asked me to report it and take a look at the Black & Whites’ forwards options for the 2026 Betfred Super League season.

I have to say, when Hull FC want a new signing officially announced, they send me an embargoed email, saying when it is to be announced in the media and so far, I have received no embargoed emails about Sam Lisone or any of the other deals that Hull are reported to have got over the line.

However, I do have very reliable sources, the press box, as I’m sure you can imagine, is absolutely alive with reliable sources, so I am trusting them implicitly.

Earlier this year it was reported that Hull have gone out and signed Joe Batchelor and James Bell from St. Helens, Connor Bailey from York Knights and Harvie Hill from champions Wigan Warriors.

It has also been reported that Liam Knight has committed his long-term future to the club, although in the case of Knight and Lisone there has been no confirmation of just how long the contracts they are reputed to have signed actually last for, so that somewhat hampers what I can say so far regarding how long they’re going to be around and how much Hull’s young, up and coming talent can benefit from their influence.

However, what I can definitely say, just as I said to Nathan in a recent message, with a pack containing the likes of Knight and Lisone, Batchelor and Bell, plus Hill, and putting them alongside Herman Ese’Ese, John Asiata and Jed Cartwright, it is probably fair to say that opposition teams could be forgiven for wanting to be paid danger money to play against such a fearsome, ferocious pack.

Obviously, other players have been sacrificed to build such a pack, with the departures of Jordan Lane and Jack Ashworth to Castleford all but confirmed, much like the new signings the Airlie Birds are bringing in, but what it also smacks of is John Cartwright building his own team, putting his stamp on the team.

Of course, the coach will not be getting ahead of himself, in a recent press conference the rumoured signing of Lisone was mentioned several times, both to his best friend Ese’Ese who he grew up with and to the boss, in which the prop confirmed that the Leeds player had messaged him several times, asking about the club, the facilities etc, but of course, being as professional as both The Herminator and his boss are, they refused to confirm the move, although they left plenty of carrots dangling, indicating that they knew exactly what was coming, as soon as the overseas quota rules were sorted out.

It must also be said that the pack has been something of a priority for Cartwright, as Hull have been woefully exposed about how lightweight they are in that department this year, thanks to a catalogue of injuries, which have seen them trying to fit square pegs in round holes, including extended runs in the back row for Centres Zak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain and with Brad Fash (since his return from injury) and Yusuf Aydin having to fill in where needed, while prop Ashworth has also had to turn his hand to playing in the back row, where he hadn’t played for quite some time.

Certainly, the signing of Bell will also be massively important for the Black & Whites, as a ready made replacement for Asiata, should the vice-captain get injured again (not wishing it on him, but facing practicalities, just in case) and, of course, given the new quota rules, much has to still be decided regarding the future of Ligi Sao, a player who has been ruled out for the rest of the season, but is always a very popular member of the squad among his fellow players and the coaching staff, and has endeared himself even more to them during his ongoing rehab, his professionalism, dedication and hard work have certainly not gone unnoticed between the playing group and us reporters.

What, you may ask about Hull’s talented crop of young forwards such as Zach Jebson, Will Gardiner, Will Kirby and Matty Laidlaw? I would point out that Laidlaw and Gardiner have seen some first team action this season, but looking back 12 months, these young lads, along with many others in the backs like Logan Moy and Jack Charles were being expected to stand up to the rigours of playing Super League week in, week out, taking on some of the monsters like Hull are bringing in for next season, among many others and their time will come again, along with a host of other young players currently in the reserves, or on dual reg at Doncaster or on loan elsewhere, but after the experiences of last season, it is probably understandable that Cartwright wants to protect them somewhat for the time being.

Written by Ian Judson (Site contributor & Hull FC fan)