Hull FC’s Jamie Shaul gets nod as Hull KR boosted by returning duo

Hull FC full-back Jamie Shaul will make his first appearance of the season after being named to start at full-back in the Good Friday derby against Hull KR.

Jamie Shaul is one of five changes to Tony Smith’s side following last week’s 34-6 loss at Warrington.

Shaul, who has yet to play a first team game in 2023, comes in at full-back to replace the injured Tex Hoy.

The other changes sees Darnell McIntosh replace Davy Litten on the wing. Joe Lovodua makes way for Ben McNamara in the halves.

Ligi Sao returns to the Hull side having served a suspension, with Mitieli Vulikijapani also coming back into the side on the bench. The duo replace Danny Houghton and Andre Savelio respectively.

Meanwhile, Hull KR have been boosted by the return of key outside-backs Tom Opacic and Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

The experienced duo come in to replace Ireland internationals Louis Senior and Frankie Halton.

The 17-man squads

Hull FC: Shaul; Swift, Sutcliffe, Tuimavave, McIntosh; McNamara, Clifford; Fash, Dwyer, Satae, Lane, Griffin, Cator. Subs: Evans, Sao, Taylor, Vulikijapani. 18th man: Gardiner.

Hull KR: Coote; Wood, Opacic, Kenny-Dowall, Hall; Lewis, Abdull; Kennedy, Parcell, King, Batchelor, Linnett, Minchella. Subs: Sue, Litten, Hadley, Luckley. 18th man: Halton.

The game at the MKM Stadium is a sell-out, with more than 24,000 expected to be at today’s game.

Hull KR head in to the game in good form, having produced an impressive display in last week’s win over Leeds.

Willie Peters’ Robins are currently fifth in the Super League table, having won four from their first seven games of the season.

Hull FC, meanwhile, have endured a poor start to the campaign, having won just two from their first seven games of 2023.

They are currently second bottom in the Super League table, four points above winless Wakefield.

But as the old cliché goes, form goes out of the window in a derby. It should be a spectacular atmosphere as the sun shines down on the MKM Stadium this afternoon.

Sky Sports will also televise the game, with kick-off at 12:30pm.

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