Hull FC squad: Aspinwall, Briscoe, Bowden, Ellis, Horne, Houghton, Green, Kent, Lynch, Martin, Manu, Nicklas, O’Carroll, Seymour, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Whiting, Yeaman. hullfc.com/newsarticle.aspx?n=20861 Moa is out on compassionate leave, McKinnon is out following the injury last week against Cas, and O'Meley is still out with a foot injury. Westerman and Heremaia are still out as long-term absentees. Yeaman is included but only has an slight chance of playing.

Hull FC squad: Aspinwall, Briscoe, Bowden, Ellis, Horne, Houghton, Green, Kent, Lynch, Martin, Manu, Nicklas, O’Carroll, Seymour, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Whiting, Yeaman. hullfc.com/newsarticle.aspx?n=20861 Moa is out on compassionate leave, McKinnon is out following the injury last week against Cas, and O'Meley is still out with a foot injury. Westerman and Heremaia are still out as long-term absentees. Yeaman is included but only has an slight chance of playing.

GENTLE NAMES YOUTHFUL SQUAD FOR BULLS CLASH
By Matt Holden | Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Hull FC could hand out another two debuts this weekend as a young squad prepares to face Bradford Bulls on Friday evening.

With five of the Black and Whites biggest names missing from the side, including two off-season signings, the likes of Chris Green and Liam Kent have been included and they could make their competitive bow.

The absence of forwards Mark O’Meley (ankle), Joe Westerman (shoulder) and Sam Moa (compassionate leave) will also open the door again to 20-year-old prop Josh Bowden, whilst the likes of Jamie Ellis and Danny Nicklas will be looking to fill the void left by in-form full back Wade McKinnon (groin).

On the upside, England international centre Kirk Yeaman is thought to be ahead of schedule following a foot operation and is included, so he could return against the Bulls.

Head coach Peter Gentle commented, “We are doing it tough at the minute, but we can’t complain. This is just a period every club will go through at some stage in the season and our time is now.

“We have actually been a few bodies light pretty much round for round so far this season, but the guys who have come in have coped really well and it’s just another chance for them to impress, particularly the younger players.

“There are one or two decisions for us to make with regard to the make up of our side, particularly with McKinnon missing at full back for us this week.

“He has been in great form this season, but I am more than confident that whatever way we decide to go, the players will stand up and fill that void comfortably.”

He added, “This is what having a good competitive squad is all about and it’s exciting to give some young talent a chance.

“We’ve had some young guys chomping at the bit to get in the side, they’ve been training the house down so it will be great to get them out there.”

Hull FC squad: Aspinwall, Briscoe, Bowden, Ellis, Horne, Houghton, Green, Kent, Lynch, Martin, Manu, Nicklas, O’Carroll, Seymour, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Whiting, Yeaman.

Sam on compassionate leave?

Horne
Sharp
Martin
Yeaman
Briscoe
Seymour
Ellis
Lynch
Houghton
O'Carroll
Manu
Tickle
Whiting

Bowden
Aspinwall
Green
Turner

Kent (18th Man)



I think we need to have Whiting in the pack as we have a lot of forwards out. This means Horne to FB and Ellis in the halves.
Whiting at LF also frees up Aspinwall, who can do a stint at prop, taking a bit of pressure off the youngsters Green and Bowden.
I have Turner on the bench for his utility value - he can cover the backs if Martin needs to go off again, can give Houghton a rest if needed (Turner to 6, Ellis to 9 whilst Houghton gets a breather), and can also play in the back row.
Lynch will end up playing big-minutes again.

Not an ideal side, but it's the best we've got available imo.

Whiting
Sharp
Martin
Turner
Briscoe
Horne
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
O'Carroll
Tickle
Manu
Aspinwall

Bowden
Green
Kent
Ellis

Poor bench, with Bradford being fired up for this I can't see that team winning tbh. Too much on Lynch's shoulders.

Maybe Horne to fullback to free Whiting up for the pack would be better?

Whiting
Sharp
Martin
Turner
Briscoe
Horne(rumoured to be out) or Ellis
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Bowden
Manu
Tickle
Aspinwall
Subs
O'Carroll
Green
Yeaman or Ellis
Nicklas

Moa's mum is very badly flown back to Australia.

Heremaia is having surgery on his neck out for a few months.

Hasn't he been back in full contact training recently and was involved in the warm-up against Cas?

Or has his injury worsened?

This squad is very inexperianced and looks vunerable to me in light of this weeks events at Bradford, who I expect to be fired up both on and off the field come Friday. Moving forward into easter I'm a little worried, if we get any more injuries then we are going to stretched to the limit.

In fact with Moa away and Ogre missing along with the others I'd say we won't win any of the next three, Bulls, Rovers or Hudds. Our front row won't be able to cope imo.

See Heremaia thread for link.

Going to be tough going over the next few games.Should still have enough to see off Bradford.

O'Carroll, Lynch can do 80, Bowden getting better and Aspinwall can spell with Green I think we will be fine but need need Moa and McKinnon back for good friday.

How about:

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

Aspinwall
O'Carroll
Bowden
Green

Bradford still have a lot more players than us out, so we should still win IMO, going to be tough though and they will be fired up.

Rovers and Hudds x2 will be very difficult if we are missing our 2 props and Wade.