Hull’s late announcement of their team for Saturday’s trip to Preston sees a couple of notable changes from last week’s side.
Kym Russell and Liam Regardsoe have both been named for the number five spot in the second row – depending on fitness.
David Davison comes in at scrum-half whilst Joe Barratt drops to the bench. Harrison Astley has a rib injury and his place is taken by the returning Bureta Faraimo.
Hull’s bench sees front rower Major join Will Wallis, Russell/Volaikisuva and Barratt.
Perhaps the most noteworthy addition to this Hull squad is Jamie Shaul, formerly a Hull FC player where he played with great distinction for many years.
He won two Challenge Cup finals with Hull and received an international cap with the England Rugy League team in 2018.
He scored a century of tries in his 195 appearances for Hull and will be a great addition to Hull RUFC where he will team up with a few other players who have played professional rugby league.
They are wingers David Halaifonua and Faraimo, and off half Reece Dean who are all in this week’s starting line and have already made their mark with Hull RUFC .
Jamie starts from the bench this week as he settles in to his new role and get’s used to a new set of laws. Everyone at Hull RUFC wishes him well and look forward to seeing Jamie get his first taste of rugby union at Preston.
After a dramatic victory against a very good Sheffield Tigers side, Hull travel to Preston Grasshoppers who narrowly defeated Hull Ionians last week having beaten Tynedale earlier in the season followed by defeats against Sheffield, Otley and Fylde.
That sequence of results merely emphasises how even the teams are in this league and Hull will have plenty to do to overcome the Lancashire side who play on the rather awkward AstroTurf surface.
Hull seem to have no serious injuries after last week’s game and they may be able to add to the squad the back rower Mosese Nasilasila if his work commitments allow.
Hull have a good blend of up and coming young players as well as some experienced older players who have become battle hardened over several seasons at this and higher levels.
Last week’s performance was a solid team effort and Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz’s last minute try-saving tackle was just one example of the commitment every team member made last week.
Hull were perhaps not as effective in the second period as they might have liked, but they still created try-scoring opportunities and small errors prevented them putting the game to bed.
Hull’s scrum and lineout were a good source of possession and they were always looking to stretch the oppositions defence and create real pressure.
Director of Rugby Mike Umaga will be pleased with his side’s development and attractive style of rugby. Hull will be striving to achieve a high level of consistency as they seek to improve performances and maintain their winning sequence.
Hull will travel to Lancashire with confidence after two very good displays and will be looking to bring home the points but Preston will be looking to consolidate their own league position so another close game could be in prospect.
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