Gentle names Hull squad for season opener

Hull FC coach Peter Gentle has today named his 19-man squad for the trip to Leeds Rhinos on Friday in the opening round of Super League XVIII (live on Sky Sports).

Gentle’s men will kick-off their 2013 campaign at the home of the defending champions live on Sky Sports and the Black and Whites boss looks set to hand competitive debuts to each of the club’s seven pre-season signings in the fixture.

Recently appointed captain Gareth Ellis will skipper the side for the first time against his former club while prop Paul Johnson, second row Richard Whiting and half back Richard Horne are all named after being given a run-out in the 60-14 victory over York last weekend.

Young front-rower Chris Green is also pushing for selection after impressing in the club’s pre-season friendlies, although forwards Danny Tickle (bicep) and Liam Watts (thumb) miss out.

Hull FC squad: Arundel, Briscoe, Crookes, Ellis, Galea, Green, Heremaia, Holdsworth, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lynch, McDonnell, O’Meley, Pitts, Seymour, Westerman, Whiting, Yeomen