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2026 Season Review: Hull FC

2 hrs

Return of the Mac. Steve McNamara is heading home to inspire Hull FC.

Hull FC’s 2026 campaign started with a home win in front of over 16,000 fans and finished with victory at Leeds - but in between fell well short of pre-season expectations.

Losing star duo Will Pryce and John Asiata to season-ending injuries in the opening weeks certainly didn’t help, with a host of other key men also sidelined during the year.

Just two wins in eight games followed that opening night win over Bradford, leaving the Black and Whites off the Play-Offs pace.

Still, it was something of a surprise when the club parted company with coach John Cartwright after a 24-14 home defeat to St Helens.

Hull quickly moved to announce the appointment of former player Steve McNamara are his successor - but not until the 2027 season, leaving Andy Last in a familiar caretaker role for the rest of the year.

He started with a thumping away win at Castleford that kept the Black and Whites in Play-Offs contention, but just one win in their next 12 games comprehensively put paid to that.

The year did finish on a more positive note however with impressive away victories over St Helens, Catalans and Leeds, providing McNamara with some positivity to build on once his duties as Warrington assistant end.

The former England boss will oversee a significant change in personnel within the squad with a host of arrivals and departures already confirmed and more expected before the start of next season.

Of the class of 2026, the vastly experienced Zak Hardaker - who is heading to York Knights for next year - proved a terrific leader for the side whatever the scoreboard was reading, playing in a whole host of positions throughout the campaign.

Harvey Barron and Davy Litten hit double figures in the try scoring stakes out wide, Harvie Hill was an ever present at prop, Joe Batchelor excellent in the second row and Logan Moy deputised admirably for Pryce at the back.

Experienced Australian half-backs Aidan Sezer and Jake Arthur both had their moments at different stages of the campaign, but the side as a whole lacked the consistency to make a genuine push for the top six.

Homegrown products were again regular names on the team sheet, with Lennon Clark, Will Kirby, Will Hutchinson and Callum Kemp among the latest crop to graduate into first team responsibilities.

McNamara will hope that they can form a key part of a squad that finally starts challenging the best in the Super League again in coming seasons, which will be complemented by NRL legend Daly Cherry-Evans.

“Steve is a coach of the highest calibre, and someone who truly understands this club and the city,” chief executive Richie Myler said when announcing the appointment in April.

“Steve McNamara coming home is a powerful moment for Hull FC.”

The Black and White Faithful will certainly hope so.

TOP TEAM-MATE

Liam Horne was an ever-present in Betfred Super League at hooker, the former Castleford Tiger was the epitome of a team player whether starting or coming off the bench.

YOUNG GUN

In a generally experienced squad with almost every player over 23, 21-year-old Ryan Brown made an impact in eight league appearances off the bench.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

A stirring 20-16 win away at then table toppers Leeds Rhinos in August again showed that the Leopards could compete with and beat the best in the competition.