ONE CHANGE FOR BULLS TRIP

Hull FC have made just one change for Friday’s Super League showdown with Bradford Bulls at the Provident Stadium.

The Black and Whites are without Ben Galea who suffered an arm injury in Saturday’s cup quarter final victory over Catalan Dragons, so prop forward Paul Johnson returns to the squad.

Otherwise it is the same group of players that were selected for the win in France, with centre Joe Arundel and forward Jay Pitts both pushing for an inclusion having missed out as 18th and 19th men respectively for the cup tie.

Half back Daniel Holdsworth is progressing nicely and nearing a return to action, but wasn’t considered for selection this week, so Aaron Heremaia is expected to continue to deputise in the halves alongside Jacob Miller after a fine performance at the weekend.

Bradford, who have been struggling for form of late, are boosted by the return of a host of key players with Brett Kearney, Jarrod Sammut and Jamie Langley all named.

Former Hull KR player Chev Walker could also reacquaint himself with the Black and Whites after being included, as well as Tom Olbison.


Hull FC squad: Arundel, Briscoe, Crooks, Ellis, Johnson, Green, Heremaia, Houghton, Lineham, Lynch, Miller, McDonnell, O'Meley, Pitts, Tickle, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman

SQUAD NEWS

Brett Kearney, Jarrod Sammut Jamie Langley, Tom Olbison and Chev Walker all return to the Bulls Squad for Friday’s game against Hull. The Bulls will be without Adam Sidlow, whose season has been ended and Matty Blythe. Both picked up knee injuries in the game against Wigan.

The Squad is: James Donaldson, Jamie Langley, Chev Walker, Brett Kearney, Luke Gale, Elliot Kear, Nick Scruton, John Bateman, Heath L’Estrange, Michael Platt, Keith Lulia, Adrian Purtell, Tom Olbison, Manase Manuokafoa, Danny Addy, Jamie Foster, Matt Diskin, Matty Jarrod Sammut and Ben Evans.

Always feel more confident when Ellam gets in first with the squad news.

Pitts for Galea (but maybe on the bench with Tickle starting), and that's possibly it. Maybe give Johnson a run out if last week took a bit much out of any of the props.

Thought we might have rested one or two but glad we haven't, could do with winning this one or a place in the 8 could suddenly become a big ask. Could be tough with the number of Bulls players back from injury and a fresh squad.

No news on Horney either? Was expecting him to play in France, has he had a setback with his injury?

Think our back three would look better with Pitts at 13, rather than Tickle or Westerman.

I think that it's important for us to give a couple of the forwards a rest so I'd have both Johnson and Pitts playing.

I actually would have liked Houghton to have been rested before the cup game as he put in a massive shift last week but it doesn't look like that will happen.

I quite like Tickle at 13, I think his size can help the props out with their workload more, which could be invaluable after last week. Also reduces the amount of time we do the predictable inside pass to him. Would personally be tempted to start him at 13, then move him to the 2nd row when Pitts comes on. I also think that after last week Westerman and Ellis deserve/need a bit more spelling than they usually get on Friday, so both Pitts and Whiting off the bench to relieve them could be ideal.

I do try.

same team as last week
Arundel and Johnson to miss out

Who plays instead of Galae ?

Pitts?

I would like to start with Ellis, Tickle and Westy tbh