Hull travel to Esher after a week’s rest and they welcome back several players who have recovered from injuries. Mike Adlard returns where he can play at full-back or on the wing and he will be looking to continue his very good early season form.
Laurence Cowen-Leak returns to the back-row bringing his powerful tackling and strong running to the side. Hooker Josh Hanlon also returns and will give options in the front row. Alex Todd retains his place in the second row with captain Cam Curry as his partner.
Winger Keane Naylor may not make it as he is still suffering with an ankle injury, but Dan Evans will be fit to take his place on the wing. Hull’s front row stalwarts, Ben Boothman, Mike Jobling and Loma Kivalu will be looking to continue their ability to not only scrummage well, but make those hard yards which sap the strength of the opposition.
Hull have had the opportunity to win possibly four games this season, and they will be looking to this fixture to score a victory. Esher have had a similar season to Hull. They score freely, but have only managed one victory this season and sit just one place above Hull in the league. Their only win was against Chinnor, however they ran Rosslyn Park close which takes some doing and had, like Hull, a narrow defeat to Leeds.
Hull should go into this game with confidence as they have built up to the level of physicality and speed of thought required at this level, and now need to turn this undoubted improvement into winning games. This could be the week that is achieved.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 