Horne: Hull looking strong for derby
Hull FC stalwart Richard Horne believes the team that will line up against Hull KR at Craven Park on Friday is one of the strongest he has been involved with.
The former Great Britain half-back has no doubts that the current Hull side has what it takes to improve on the club’s miserable record in Engage Super League derbies between the sport’s biggest rivals.
Hull have won just three of the 10 derbies played since Rovers were promoted to Engage Super League at the end of the 2006 season and have lost the last four, the most recent a 24-18 reverse at Craven Park last July.
“We are up for the challenge,” insisted Horne. “We are trailing in derby wins but we are confident in what we want to achieve.
“This is the best team I’ve ever been involved with at Hull. There’s quality throughout the squad and a lot of depth.
“If any of the senior players get a knock or a bad injury we know there are players who can come in and do a job.
“I’m really looking forward to this derby, especially with the new squad we’ve got.”
After missing out on the play-offs last year, when their ambitions were ravaged by injury, Hull FC have made a bold start to Engage Super League XV and will not want for motivation on Friday when they look to put behind them disappointment of last Saturday’s surprise defeat at Salford.
The key to Hull’s turnaround in fortunes has been a healthy squad and the presence of new signings such as Sean Long, the former St Helens and Great Britain scrum-half, and Australian Test veteran Craig Fitzgibbon.
“The players we have brought in have done a good job and have settled in really well,” said Horne.
“‘Longy’ and ‘Fitz’ have brought a whole new dimension to our attack and we are confident we can beat anybody on our day.
“My own form has been good, playing alongside Sean helps things and I think we’ll do all right on Friday.
“It’s always very exciting to go down to their ground. Craven Park is always a daunting place to go but we’ll go there in confident mood.”
A limited number of tickets for Good Friday Hull derby clash are still available and can be purchased via 0844 2490 105. For those who cannot get a ticket, the game is live on Sky Sports HD1, kick off 12.45.