No favourites for Gentle as Hull FC coach unveils squad numbers
HULL FC coach Peter Gentle insists he won't have any favourites when it comes to team selection – and only his players' performances in pre-season will determine who starts the campaign.
Gentle confirmed his squad numbers with the players yesterday, with the club making the announcement this morning.
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Peter Gentle
Eagerly anticipated by fans, the announcement of the squad numbers is often seen as an early indication into a coach's thinking for the year ahead.
Gentle is keen to point out, however, it is his side's efforts in training and not the number they have been given which will influence his thinking.
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Following the announcement, attention immediately turns to the half-back positions, with last season's under-pressure scrum-half Brett Seymour keeping his number seven jersey, while Hull stalwart Richard Horne is out of the top 13 for the first time in years.
A new-look right-sided partnership sees new recruits Jason Crookes and Joe Arundel paired at numbers two and three, while marquee signing Gareth Ellis has been handed the number 11 shirt.
Shannon McDonnell will wear the number one shirt vacated by Wade McKinnon early last season, with fellow Aussie Ben Galea at number 15, one place behind Horne.
The 32-man squad, which again sees number 18 taken by the Hull fans, is concluded by New Zealand hooker Aaron Heremaia wearing his lucky number 33 shirt.
"I'm not here to play favourites and the players know it is their performances in training over the next couple of months and the trial games that determines who starts against Leeds," Gentle told the Mail.
"We've got a squad that has a lot of experience now and our top 25 or 26 players have all played Super League games which is great.
"That competition for places is bringing the best out of everyone and it puts pressure on everyone to perform. It's that pressure which is driving training and it is those performances in training which will determine our team. There will be no favourites."
Hull FC squad list: 1 Shannon McDonnell, 2 Jason Crookes, 3 Joe Arundel, 4 Kirk Yeaman, 5 Tom Briscoe, 6 Daniel Holdsworth, 7 Brett Seymour, 8 Mark O'Meley, 9 Danny Houghton, 10 Andy Lynch, 11 Gareth Ellis, 12 Danny Tickle, 13 Joe Westerman, 14 Richard Whiting, 15 Ben Galea, 16 Richard Horne, 17 Liam Watts, 18 The 18th Man, 19 Jay Pitts, 20 Paul Johnson, 21 Chris Green, 22 Josh Bowden, 23 Ben Crooks, 24 Liam Kent, 25 Tom Lineham, 26 Danny Nicklas, 27 Jack Briscoe, 28 James Cunningham, 29 Jamie Shaul, 30 Dean Hadley, 31 Alex Starling, 32 Ryan Wilson, 33 Aaron Heremaia
Comments
by TheEarlyBath
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 8:24PM
“Bobbin and Bungle have you named your squad yet? Oh sorry I forgot you haven't got enough players for that yet having lost most of them or sold them, if you give it time I am sure some more will become available and your new investor can buy them as you are only at about half our salary cap”
by Bobbin_Robin
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 8:03PM
“The usual pre-season bull from the fans of the exceedingly average.....At least be truthful to yourselves......6th to 10th at best......Pearson and Gentle's last Season so enjoy oh gullible ones.....Lol.....”
by Bungle
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 7:23PM
“What number for Prince, Paea, Chase and Bateman?
Have they also left room for suqad numbers for the 6 quality players they are going to announce in September, you know, the ones that are 'in the bag'.
Seymour, 7. PMSL.”
by easthullfc11
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 7:15PM
“wilo- who has the most left on their s.cap. a hfc or b hkr ?”
by TheEarlyBath
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 7:08PM
“Good point Wilo, you never know someone might fall out with a club or a team want to sign someone so may want to release somebody, honestly can't see anyone decent coming onto the open marketa part from if a club gets into financial difficulty and needs some quick cash”
by wilo74
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 6:38PM
“A solid looking squad with some real quality. Don't think anyone has mentioned yet either that we have space on the cap given that we didn't succeed in getting another scrum half. Will be interesting to see if we try and bring anyone else in during the season.”
by stonesy3
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 5:38PM
“Evolwen, at the recent forum, Mcrea said no decision had been made on McGoldrick, that he (McGoldrick) has a few options in Nrl and even Union. Also the shoulder injury he sustained at Bradford, and the surgery needed, was more severe than first thought. We may see him again, we might.
Also believe, not too sure thought, that Jack Briscoe was on loan at Featherstone last season.”
by GEvans76
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 5:35PM
“Dentist_Milf/Forest
3rd Username you've had to create today after being banned twice already,
You and Eddy should get together.
Show some pride man”
by FC_ON_THE_UP
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 5:25PM
“What a team, shame for Horney but we have to move forward and he's still good cover if need be. Love the comments from the scum, just hilarious. Fingers crossed Seymour will step up a gear after his operation and he'll have no kicking responsibilities on his shoulders. With Heremaia, Holdsworth and Houghton we got some lethal attacking threats.
Get in !”
by ShirliSlammer
Tuesday, November 27 2012, 3:52PM
“Great looking squad,comprising of youth and experience, especially when you compare it to the journeymen,rejects,cast-offs and untalented fat thugs that Hudgell has assembled at Caravan Park.
No wonder the Dobbin's season pass sales ended at a pathetic 2,100, can't wait until the start of the season.
I notice that "Banditman" is constantly referring to having men's pants down.....mmmm I think he's one of auntie Slammer's "special friends'. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha”