Whole squad doing the business for Hull

High-flying Hull handed two first team debuts to youngsters at the weekend, as they climbed to second in Super League despite the absence of several key players.

Head Coach Peter Gentle has enjoyed a terrific start to his time in the UK, winning six of his first eight competitive games in charge, with just a draw at home to Warrington and defeat at Salford blotting his copybook.

Youngsters Chris Green and Liam Kent made their debuts in the 24-18 win over Bradford, as Hull recorded their fifth consecutive win, without the likes of Kirk Yeaman, Wade McKinnon, Joe Westerman, Aaron Heremaia, Mark O’Meley and Sam Moa in the side.

Gentle told the club’s official website: “There is no substitute for playing at this level. The young blokes need to be given a chance to test themselves in Super League and the only way they will learn is to be tested.

“We always had full confidence in them though. We are not a 17-man team, we are a 30-odd man squad. We train together and work hard together and the young lads are as much as part of this team as the guys who have played in finals. 

“Having the likes of Danny Tickle, Willie Manu and Andy Lynch playing for long spells certainly helps and it was nice to be able to play the youngsters in short periods.”

Hull face a tough Easter period where they face derby rivals Hull KR and Huddersfield, before back to back home games against Wigan and Leeds sandwich a tough Challenge Cup game against Huddersfield.