Hull FC centre Zak Hardaker would have had no issues playing Saturday's Challenge Cup at York Acorn on a pitch full of 'dog muck' so long as he got the win.

Instead, the Black and Whites will meet the National Conference League opponent on neutral territory at Featherstone Rovers' Millenium Stadium, with Hardaker insisting that Hull are going all out to 'put some points' on the Blue and Gold outfit—the club's first amateur opposition since the 1998 tie against Cumbria-based side Ellenborough.

One of nine new signings to John Cartwright's new-look side for 2025, Hardaker got his first runout for his new club at Castleford Tigers last Saturday and is now anticipating a physical cup clash, with the Acorn players 'loving nothing more' than to land a few shots on Hull's first-team stars.

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Speaking to Hull Live ahead of the clash, Hardaker said: "The game is a big one for York Acorn, but it's also big for us too. It's a Challenge Cup game, and as much as it's all nicey nicey, we want to put some points on them.

"It's going to be physical. If I were a York Acorn player, I'd love to give it one to us professionals. It's a shame we're not at their ground. Me personally, I wouldn't have cared if it was played in a park full of dog muck; I just want to play.

"But it is exciting; coming up against them is something different and a new experience. We still have to be on it, though, and we have to be professional, turn up, play our game, and see how we go."

The likes of George Williams and Eamon McManus have been vocal about Super League sides facing amateur opponents, with Leeds Rhinos hosting London-based Wests Warriors and St Helens meeting West Hull. However, Hardaker, a former Featherstone Lions junior, is embracing the challenge—echoing back to Hull's cup wins back in 2016 and 2017 as motivation for what the current squad can do in this competition in 2025.

"I think it's pretty good," he continued. "If the shoes are on the other foot and you're an amateur team welcoming a Super League team, it's great. You get the locals there and get a bumper crowd with everyone's mates and families turning up. It will be a great occasion.

"We will treat it as a proper game; it's the Challenge Cup, and you're only a few games away from Wembley. It's not time to muck about; it's a special competition. Hull, a few years ago, were right up there winning it, so it's a special tie.

"Look at the last round and Goole beating London. That was great for Tag (Scott Taylor). He said that’s the magic of the Challenge Cup, but that’s what it’s about. It's about shocks and surprises, and that's what they thrive off. It's great for the amateur teams, and we've just got to be professional and give the best account that we can. We've got to turn up and do what we do."

After the cup tie, Hull open their Super League account away at Catalans Dragons before hosting Wigan Warriors in round two. A tough start, Hardaker again holds no dramas, instead encouraged by the early markers Hull can give—in particular with a big home backing against the Champions at the MKM Stadium.

"There's no point just dipping your foot in," he added. "They're two of the hardest fixtures you could ask for, but we don't want an easy route with easy games. It's always a tough ask, but going over there (to Perpignan), we hope to give a good account of ourselves and then hopefully get a good crowd at home for the Wigan game and again test ourselves against the Champions. We can get straight into it and really get stuck in."