Hull FC return to action tomorrow night to take on Leeds Rhinos at the MKM Stadium.
The Black and Whites will be keen to bounce back to winning ways after their loss to Huddersfield Giants last time out and they’ll be cheered on by an unrestricted crowd, too.
Here, Hull Live previews the clash.
Changes aplenty
Brett Hodgson will have travelled to Huddersfield Giants last week confident of getting the job done at the John Smith’s Stadium.
It was a young and inexperienced 17-man squad but it was one he felt had enough about them to pick up what would have been a fourth straight Super League win.
As it was, that winning run came to an end as they were well beaten in West Yorkshire, but Hodgson will take confidence from the fact he will be able to name a very different team this week against the Rhinos.
Josh Reynolds will be the biggest addition to the side. His energy and presence could be pivotal for the Black and Whites and Hodgson will hope he can be the man to open up the Rhinos.
Manu Ma’u’s return lessens the blow of losing Andre Savelio to suspension, while Joe Cator adds plenty to the pack.
Bureta Faraimo offers experience on the flank and the fitness of one of Hull’s players of the season is Adam Swift is a big bonus.
Jake Connor, Jamie Shaul, Scott Taylor and Masi Matongo aren’t far away from a return to action now either, meaning Hull can approach the final two months of the season with options available to them.
Josh Reynolds of Hull FC is tackled by Benjamin Garcia of Catalans Dragons
Fan power
There will be no restriction on attendance when the Black and Whites take on Leeds Rhinos at the MKM Stadium.
Not since March 2020 have Hull been able to host more than 5,500 fans and they’ll be hoping to put on a real show for those watching them in action for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
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The atmosphere is sure to be electric and Hodgson will be hoping his players can thrive off the energy that spills out on the field of play in a game they must win in order to continue sitting comfortably in the play-off places.
The players have a role to play in getting those fans behind them early, but those in attendance could prove to be the difference in the closing stages of what promises to be a tight affair.
Leeds a force
Simply put, the Rhinos aren’t the same side Hull beat a couple of months ago.
Richard Agar’s side were visibly short of confidence back in May and struggling to climb the table as injuries and suspensions took their toll.
They dominated the ball for large periods in that game at Headingley but they lacked the nous to unlock a resolute Hull defence and they paid the price as they fell to yet another defeat.
Leeds Rhinos’ Kruise Leeming celebrates scoring their third try against Salford
(Image: © SWpix.com (t/a Photography Hub Ltd))
Ten weeks on, Leeds are brimming with confidence, scoring plenty of points and looking to force their way into the play-off reckoning.
They’re not far off the top six and win over the Black and Whites would see them breathing down the necks of Hull KR, a loss, though, could be pretty damaging to their play-off chances.
Make or break period
As mentioned above, the Black and Whites are sitting pretty at present, but it only takes a couple of results for that to dramatically change one way or the other.
There might be a little while to go in the Super League season yet, but looking at the club’s fixture list, it’s clear FC are entering a pivotal period, starting on Thursday night against Leeds.
FC host champions St Helens on Monday, before taking on Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons and Hull KR in short succession.
A bad run could see Hull drop out of the top six altogether, while a few positive results would ensure Hull are chasing a spot in the top four as the competition approaches its climax, with a play-off spot all but in the bag.
Hodgson’s side will rightly focus on one game at a time and keep their goals small and manageable, but from the outside looking in, it’s hard not to look at the bigger picture of what the next few weeks might mean for the club.
