HULL FC: Radford's ready for prop role

By [cmullan]

HULL FC coach Richard Agar believes former captain Lee Radford has a bright future ahead of him at prop.

Radford may have been given the number 11 shirt by Agar for the forthcoming season but he played at prop in Richard Horne's 28-16 testimonial win over Rovers at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

Agar feels with his leadership qualities, Radford will excel in the front row as he did in the opening minutes against Rovers.

"I thought Lee set the tone early on Sunday," said Agar.

"Lee talks very well and gets the other players in the middle well organised for the right plays at the right time.

"He's been good all year at training and he flowed into the game.

"I was looking at our middle men on Sunday which is an area of competition.

"We tried to share the game time out, looking at giving them 40 or 50 minutes each.

"That wasn't easy bearing in mind there were five or six of them."

Agar's decision to move Radford from the back row to the front was helped by the arrival of new signing Craig Fitzgibbon.

And with Danny Washbrook as a back up, Agar feels the move will be a positive one for both Radford and the team.

"Lee has the ability to alternate and it's difficult to pigeon-hole players into positions," said Agar.

"I see Lee as a middle player, whether he's putting his head at the back of the scrum or the front then he's very much a middle player.

"Craig Fitzgibbon and Danny Washbrook give us a little bit more athleticism at loose forward so we'll probably look at Lee as a front rower."

Agar used Sunday's friendly derby to see how some of his bench players performed when given the opportunity to start.

Epalahame Lauaki took his opportunity well and gave Agar something more to think about later in the season.

"We started Hame because we know what he can do coming off the bench," said Agar.

"That's why he started the game.

"We know what Danny Tickle, Cusack and Dowes can do, so we wanted to see what the others can do.

"The players who have trained constantly got the nod in certain areas."

Agar confirmed he will take a strong squad to Sheffield on Sunday for their seciond and final friendly.

Although the coach hinted one or two big name players may be rested.

"We will make some changes for the trip to Sheffield on Sunday," he said.

"We had some experienced players out there on Sunday and we want to make sure they are okay for the season opener against St Helens.

"So there are some players we won't risk this weekend and there are players we know will benefit from more games to get up to game speed.

"We will be taking a strong squad to Sheffield."