Specialists the key for Gentle

New Hull coach Peter Gentle wants his players to focus on playing in one position, and is happy to give chances to academy prospects if that means avoiding playing players out of position.

Gentle has taken over from Richard Agar at the KC Stadium in the close season, which has also seen a number of new faces enter the club in key positions – with Wade McKinnon, Brett Seymour and Aaron Heremaia all joining from Down Under.

Gentle told the club’s official website: “I’m very reluctant to move players around and play them out of position. I’d much rather give an opportunity to a young player or another member of the squad who is a specialist in that position.

“We’ve sat down with each of the players to discuss where they would like to play, and everybody now has a position in mind.

“Sometimes injuries during a game can dictate a change and somebody has to fill a spot as best they can, but we’ll be avoiding that as much as we can.”

Hull have a good track record of developing youngsters in recent years, with the likes of Tom Briscoe, Kirk Yeaman and Richard Horne all coming through the ranks before earning full international honours.

And Gentle won’t have any hesitation in bringing through academy prospects if the opportunities arises.

He added: “It’s probably fair to say that the senior players will be given the first opportunity but then it’s up to them to hold on to it.

“I’ve certainly got no fears about giving the younger players a chance and I know they will do us proud when they get an opportunity.”