Hull FC Facing Severe Player Shortage Against Leeds Rhinos Headingley 2026

Key Points

• Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last confirmed that 11 first-team players will miss Friday’s final Super League fixture against Leeds Rhinos.
• Loose-forward James Bell has been cleared to play after passing necessary return-to-play concussion protocols.
• Sam Lisone is unavailable due to unconfirmed personal reasons.
• Ligi Sao drops out following a failed Head Injury Assessment against Toulouse Olympique, marking an abrupt end to his seven-year stint with the club ahead of a move to Bradford Bulls.
• Departing veterans Zak Hardaker and Tom Briscoe are set to feature in their final career appearances for the Black & Whites.

HULL (The Leeds Times) September 9, 2026 — Interim head coach Andy Last has confirmed a depleted 21-man squad for Hull FC’s final fixture of the Super League season away to Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Friday night, with 11 senior players ruled out through injury, suspension, and personal reasons. Despite the severe squad strain, loose-forward James Bell will return after passing all necessary return-to-play concussion protocols.

What Is the Status of James Bell Ahead of the Headingley Trip?

As reported by William Jackson of the Hull Daily Mail, Andy Last stated that “James Bell is on track to play against Leeds Rhinos in the side’s final game of the Super League season at Headingley on Friday night”. The New Zealand-born loose-forward missed last week’s encounter against former club Toulouse Olympique due to a head injury sustained in Round 25 against Warrington Wolves.

Having successfully completed the graded return-to-play protocols, Bell has been integrated back into training and is expected to reclaim his position in the matchday pack. His inclusion provides much-needed distribution and defensive intensity in the central third for the Black & Whites.

Why Are 11 Hull FC First-Team Players Ruled Out?

As reported by William Jackson of the Hull Daily Mail, Andy Last confirmed that prop Sam Lisone has been ruled out of the squad for “personal reasons”. Meanwhile, veteran front-rower Ligi Sao is unavailable after failing a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) during last weekend’s defeat to Toulouse Olympique.

As reported by William Jackson of the Hull Daily Mail, Andy Last stated regarding Sao’s absence: “Ligi has some private, personal reasons… It’s a shame for Ligi. He has been a good servant to us as a club for seven years. He’s always played with an intensity, which Hull supporters love. He walks that tightrope and you need that as a front-row forward to be an enforcer and intimidator.

It’s just a shame that he hasn’t been able to go out on his terms. He copped a knock, he had a couple of stitches in that eye, and he wasn’t able to return to the field and failed his head test. Unfortunately for Ligi, he’s played his last game, and we wish him the best of luck in his new venture at Bradford”.

Alongside Lisone and Sao, nine other players remain unavailable:

• Will Pryce (ACL injury)
• John Asiata (hamstring strain)
• Cade Cust (shoulder injury)
• Brad Fash (knee injury)
• Yusuf Aydin (knee injury)
• Callum Kemp (shoulder injury)
• Will Kirby (ACL injury)
• Joe Ward (ACL injury)
• Joe Batchelor (disciplinary suspension)

Who Will Feature in Hull FC’s Final 21-Man Matchday Squad?

As reported by TotalRL, utility back Zak Hardaker returns to the 21-man squad following a calf issue and is set to make his final appearance for the club prior to joining York Knights next season. Winger Tom Briscoe is also included in the squad for what will be the concluding game of his professional rugby league career.

As reported by William Jackson of the Hull Daily Mail, Andy Last confirmed that hooker Amir Bourouh is available after illness restricted his involvement to 20 minutes in France last week, while utility back Connor Bailey is named despite sustaining a dead leg against Toulouse.

Hull FC 21-Man Squad:

2. Harvey Barron, 3. Davy Litten, 4. Zak Hardaker, 5. Lewis Martin, 6. Jake Arthur, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Herman Ese’ese, 9. Amir Bourouh, 10. Harvie Hill, 15. James Bell, 19. Tom Briscoe, 21. Arthur Romano, 22. Connor Bailey, 24. Logan Moy, 25. Matty Laidlaw, 26. Hugo Salabio, 29. Will Hutchinson, 32. Lloyd Kemp, 35. Ben Johnson, 36. Lennon Clark, 39. Ethan O’Neill.

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Background of the Particular Development

The extreme injury crisis facing Hull FC comes at the conclusion of a turbulent Super League season marked by high squad turnover, head coaching changes, and recurring physical setbacks. The departure of head coach John Cartwright earlier in the campaign saw Andy Last assume interim control during a period where key spine players and forward leaders suffered season-ending structural injuries.

Long-term knee injuries to key playmakers and forwards like Will Pryce, Joe Ward, and Will Kirby severely restricted squad rotation across the summer months. Concurrently, disciplinary suspensions and concussion protocols repeatedly disrupted the team’s weekly cohesion.

Friday’s fixture also marks a significant transition period for the club’s playing roster, with long-serving players such as Ligi Sao, Zak Hardaker, and retiring veteran Tom Briscoe making their final appearances in Black & White colors before a major squad reconstruction ahead of 2027.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Hull FC Supporters and the Club’s 2027 Campaign

The severe player shortage for Friday’s final fixture directly impacts Hull FC supporters, who will see an inexperienced side tested against a full-strength Leeds Rhinos team at Headingley. With 11 senior squad members unavailable, interim coach Andy Last must rely heavily on fringe players and youth academy products, increasing the likelihood of an uphill battle to end the season on a positive note.

Looking ahead to the off-season, this match accelerates the club’s planned roster overhaul. The forced absence and subsequent departures of senior figures like Ligi Sao and Zak Hardaker clear significant salary cap space, allowing incoming management to rebuild around the remaining core.

However, the high volume of major reconstruction injuries—particularly three distinct ACL rehabilitations—means several senior players face delayed starts to 2027 pre-season training. Consequently, fans can expect early-season roster experimentation next year as returning players regain match fitness.