How Hull FC could line-up at Doncaster with young side chosen and fitness call ahead

Hull FC play their first game of the 2025 season in just over a month's time, with the Black and Whites heading over to South Yorkshire to take on Richard Horne's Doncaster side. And while it is a reserves team that will take to the field, there's no doubting there will be some first-team representation in Francis Cummins' line-up come January 12. Here, Hull Live looks at how Hull FC may shape up.

Spine

Jack Charles will be pushing to play in Doncaster, with the half-back currently in rehab after tearing his hamstring in pre-season training. It's expected he will make a full recovery come the new year period, with the club's medical staff then set to determine whether or not he's ready to play.

Elsewhere, the likes of Callum Kemp will be looking to kick on after an encouraging first-team debut at the end of last season. His twin brother, Lloyd, may well feature as well as part of the club's Rising Talent programme, which has been training with the first-team squad this winter.

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Denive Balmforth and Will Hutchinson could both feature in the hooker positions, with Logan Moy at full-back. Ben Johnson is also an option for the stand-off half position but is also capable of slotting into the outside backs.

Backs

Whether or not the likes of Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin will feature in Doncaster is up for debate, given both players will be knocking on the door of a first-team spot in 2025. However, this could be their first challenge to cement a spot.

Elsewhere, Hull are well stocked, with Roman Dawson, capable of playing at centre or wing, looking to impress after recovering from an ACL injury. He's been in training this pre-season and will now look to hit the ground running. He could be joined by the likes of Joe Ward, a young winger who has been training with the first-team.

At centre, Ryan Westerman is a shoo-in to play. The teenager made his first-team debut last season and is tipped for a bright future in the game. Davy Litten will be out as he continues his rehab after MCL surgery.

Forwards

The likes of Will Gardiner and Matty Laidlaw could feature at Doncaster, and if so, will be looking to show their progress with strong displays. Zach Jebson is likely to be involved after featuring regularly in the first-team at the end of last season. Expect the likes of Will Kirby to feature as well, with Lennon Clark also emerging on the radar this pre-season.

Cobie Wainhouse, too, will be looking to make an impact should he get the all-clear to play. He's currently recovering from an ACL rupture but is running again. Elsewhere, Owen Haldenby and Jordon Baker will be looking to make an impression.

Nick Staveley is still recovering from an ACL injury, with the forward hoping to be training again in the near future.

Potential Hull FC Reserves team to play Doncaster: Logan Moy; Harvey Barron, Roman Dawson, Ryan Westerman, Lewis Martin; Jack Charles, Callum Kemp; Will Gardiner, Denive Balmforth, Matty Laidlaw; Will Kirby, Lennon Clark; Zach Jebson

Interchange: Cobie Wainhouse, Owen Haldenby, Jordon Baker, Will Hutchinson, Lloyd Kemp, Ben Johnson, Joe Ward

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