To say Zak Hardaker is already acquainted at Hull FC is a fair assessment. The 33-year-old is already a well-known figure within rugby league, but in particular with the Black and Whites.

A teammate of club director of rugby Richie Myler, Hardaker has joined the club from Leigh Leopards, with Hull's Leyther raid also containing Oliver Holmes, Ed Chamberlain, John Asiata, and albeit last season, Tom Briscoe.

And in Hardaker's view, that connection, which saw the aforementioned part of Leigh's 2023 Challenge Cup success, is boding well for Hull, who are into their second month of pre-season training and building up their on-field combinations. In from week two, that history has helped to create a bond, which the quintet has taken to East Yorkshire, with the side building up their on-field combinations and getting prepared for how new head coach John Cartwright wants to play.

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Speaking to Hull Live, Hardaker, who has been impressed with what the squad has done so far at their University of Hull training base, said: "We've been with each other for the last two years, and we're all familiar with each other's games. We're good friends as well; we achieved something special at Leigh, and we want to do that here too.

"The first few weeks at Hull, it doesn't just feel like we're at a new club; all the lads have been welcoming, the staff have been great, the training facilities are outstanding, and to meet the fans and sign the shirts and get familiar with the city and the team is really good. We've been training really hard, and we're looking forward to getting a friendly out of the way and starting the season in February."

In the meantime, Hull are trying out different combinations. That has seen Hardaker link up with two teammates on the right edge: Harvey Barron and Jordan Rapana. The Hull-born winger, handed the number two shirt, has impressed, with Rapana, expected to play full-back, also slotting in on the wing as Logan Moy continues to impress.

"I've been training on the right edge, but I can play on the left too," Hardaker, giving some insight into pre-season, continued. "I've said it before, but I can play anywhere; it really doesn't bother me.

"Harvey has been training with me, as has Jordan. He came in last week, and he's trained a bit on the wing. There's loads of boys that can play loads of different positions. In training, it's just about getting fit and healthy at the minute.

"But yeah, that versatility is massive. It's a squad game now with injuries. Hull used 40 or 50 numbers last year, so for people to adapt and get familiar with different positions is important."

Hardaker added: "We're very versatile in training; we're trying different combinations. I'm not quite sure what the side will look like yet going into the first game of the season, but I am sure all the lads who play are going to give it their all. That's what we can promise. The rest of it is down to us."

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