TWO CHANGES FOR DERBY CLASH
By Matt Holden | Wednesday, 04 April 2012
Hull FC head coach Peter Gentle has been forced into three changes for Friday’s all important derby match against arch rivals Hull KR.

The Black and Whites injury list continues to grow with Tony Martin (neck), Eamon O’Carroll (knee) and Chris Green (ribs) all now unavailable.

That means new signing Jay Pitts will be in line for a debut to remember after being named in the squad, alongside the returning Lee Radford, who comes out of retirement for the match.

Australian full back Wade McKinnon, who has been absent with a groin injury, has also been named and could possibly return for the Easter showpiece.

Kirk Yeaman is also expected to feature once again having recovered from a foot operation. The England international was named for last Friday’s win over Bradford, but didn’t feature in the game, though he is expected to replace Martin this weekend.

Hull FC squad: Aspinwall, Briscoe, Bowden, Ellis, Horne, Houghton, Kent, Lynch, Manu, McKinnon, Nicklas, Pitts, Radford, Seymour, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Whiting, Yeaman

COME ON YOU HULLLAGGHHHHHHHHHHH.

There is more than enough talent and experience in that squad for a win on Friday.

I cant wait..

starting 13s ok but the bench worries me. As long as they put in the effort and show a desire Ill be ok with a defeat which is what im expecting all things considered.

FFS, all these negatives on different threads. We will put out on Friday a better team in skill, spirit, endeavour and confidence that we have been missing these last five or so years. I`ll also tell you what will get our boys fired up and that's SUPPORT from us FC faithful. Lets get the stadium rocking like we did in the old days and the early KC days. ITS up to US.

If McKinnon isn't fully fit, I'd save him for Monday.

Horne
Sharpe
Yeaman
Turner
Briscoe
Ellis
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Radford
Manu
Tickle
Aspinall

Whiting
Pitts
Bowden
Kent

We don't need Nicklas on the bench if we've got Whiting IMO. Any injuries in the backs will see Whiting slot in there nicely. Until then, he can spell at loose with Aspinall. We need forwards for this game.

I think that we'll need Aspinwall in the front row. I agree with the 4 forwards on the bench. As I posted on the other thread, I'd go with:

Horne
Sharp
Yeaman
Turner
Briscoe
Ellis
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Aspinwall
Manu
Tickle
Whiting

Radford
Bowden
Pitts
Kent

The opening 20 mins is crucial for us.

Spot on for me.

I wouldn't start with Radford personally. Rovers will come out hard in the first 20 mins I reckon and a non-match fit Radford could be weak spot.

Think we need Ellis at 6, as his kicking game will tire those big forwards out. Keep turning them around. Granted they will come out all guns blazing but our lighter mobile pack have the energy to cope and come strong at the later end of the game.

We have a choice between a non-match fit Radford, a non-match fit Pitts or an inexperienced Bowden. Not exactly a myriad of choices.

They will not let us down

Good point.

Or maybe Aspinwall...?