The twelve talents of the Hull FC first team show that they have a plan in practice and that their talent is valued

Hull FC’s rising young talents have played 75 games between them this year. A total of 12 home-grown players aged 23 or under have featured for the first team, with the Black and Whites leading the way in playing home-grown players in Super League this year.

This has happened partly out of necessity, but also partly out of choice. The club wants to build the backbone of their team in the coming years with talent through their own system, supplemented with experienced players from elsewhere.

That’s the model Richie Myler and co. are following, with early signs of promise. Here, Hull Live looks at the 12 young talents who have made their mark so far.

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Lewis Martin: 16 games (17 total, Hull only)
The young winger has not looked back since making a try-scoring debut in the final game last year. He has played all but three of Hull’s 19 games this year, and has been the 18th man for each of those three. He has pace, works hard and knows his way to the try line, but the biggest compliment to Martin is that he is there on merit, keeping 2024 recruit Liam Tindall out of the squad.

Will Gardiner: 11 (20)
Since making his debut in 2022, Gardiner has grown and grown in the Hull first team. As his latest run shows, he is more than capable of holding his own at this level. He has a huge engine and can play a lot of minutes, carry the ball and contribute, but also with the desire to take his game to the next level with ball promotion and the like. An intriguing future awaits.

Jack Charles: 10 (10)
When Charles returned to the first team in the last two weeks, his performance against Wigan showed what he is all about. He was good on his feet, organised, played with his eyes and also with repetition. His attitude is also on point, he strives to improve every day. It is easy to see why the club have such high expectations of him.

Logan Moy: 9 (9)
The teenage fullback has been arguably the best of the bunch since he came into the first team, only to be sidelined by a shoulder injury. He is electric on the ball and as he gets used to the time and speed of the Super League he will only get better. Definitely one to watch.

Denive Balmforth: 7 (11)
A popular player with fans, the hooker has been given his chance in recent weeks and has shown his promise. His attacking moments have been top notch, with four tries to his name. Now he aims to nail the pieces in between, especially when he doesn’t have the ball. If he does that, he could be anything. Such a promising player.

Davy Litten: 6 (26)
The most experienced young player in Hull’s first team, Litten reached the top last year and after a period of patience he is now back in the team on merit. His inclusion last week showed that. He prefers to play at full back but is now also doing some work in the centre and deserves his place. Another great talent with potential.

Nick Staveley: 5 (8)
The young striker started the season in great form, but suffered a serious injury to his anterior cruciate ligament before Easter. He is reportedly fighting hard to come back even stronger next year. He looked on the edge and is one to watch in the pre-season.

Harry Barron: 3 (10)
Given Martin’s strong form, Barron’s chances are limited this year, but he showed what he can do in the second half at Castleford in May, breaking down the left flank and cutting back inside for his team-mates to score. He is a tall and athletic player and he will be desperate to take his next chances when they come.

Zach Jebson: 3 (4)
There is still some debate as to what Jebson is, who plays both on the edge and through the middle. He can fill in at back-row, loose-forward and even centre, and made his debut in that position last season. He has three more games to his name this year and has featured regularly for the reserves.

Matty Laidlaw: 3 (11)
The fiery prop burst onto the scene in 2022 under Brett Hodgson but has had to be patient since then. But after a tough year last season, he’s now regained his confidence. He’s been really strong in the reserves, with some tough performances. One to watch.

Charlie Severs: 1 (2)
Hodgson had tipped him highly to make his mark. Severs made his debut in 2022 but has since struggled with two serious shoulder injuries. He is now injured again and has not played since early June, but if anyone deserves to be lucky, it’s the back rower. Fingers crossed for him.

Will Kirby: 1 (1)
Kirby, another fiery attacker who can play on the edge or through the middle, made his Salford debut earlier this month and held his ground. He is a strong linerunner, another young player the club has high hopes for and is one of a new crop of young players set to be promoted to the first team next year.

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