Lynch honoured by leading role

Prop Andy Lynch starts Super League in 2012 as a leader once again – except this time it’s of a different pack.

The 32-year-old left Bradford in the close season to switch to Hull, in a deal that was on the cards for a while towards the end of the last campaign, with the clubs coming to an agreement over the last year of Lynch’s deal at Odsal.

After a full pre-season under his belt, the former Castleford Tigers man was handed the captaincy by coach Peter Gentle, taking over from the now retired Craig Fitzgibbon.

Lynch said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a bit of an honour, and I’ve got big boots to fill.

“It’s not too much different from last year in that I’ve got to keep doing my job, leading the team forward week in week out, and if I do that, hopefully people will follow.”

Hull defeated Bradford 46-6 last weekend in Lee Radford‘s testimonial, and spent a week of their pre-season on a warm weather training camp in Tenerife.

Lynch added: “The trip was brilliant, we did about three weeks work in a week, so go a lot of things sorted on and off the field. We were able to bond really well and get to know each other, which was important.

“It’s been a really good start, not just for me, but for all the new signings – we’ve all settled in really well.”

The Airlie Birds will face an immediate test of their credentials for 2012 on Sunday, when they host last season’s minor premiers Warrington at the KC Stadium.

“We’ve got to go in to every game confident,” said Lynch. “Hopefully we can just go out and worry about ourselves, and if we do what we do in training, we’ll be there or there abouts.

“Consistency is key for us this season. Last year there was a big difference between Hull’s best performances and their worst, and if we can get consistency week in week out, we’ll win more than we lose.”

Now in the twilight of his career, it’s more than four years since Lynch pulled on a Great Britain jumper, missing the 2008 World Cup through injury, and he admits the international scene is not something he has thought about.

He added: “I’ve not thought about England at all. My challenge is to play well for Hull and get to the best league position we can this year.

“That’s all I’m concentrating on, and I’m sure it’s the same for all the players and Peter (Gentle) too.”