It is a new fixture for the pair. Where Hull are so used to a heated Humberside derby on Good Friday, their East Hull counterparts are no longer in the top flight, meaning the Airlie Birds have a new Good Friday pairing to ponder. Both teams come off the back of losses so it looks to be a tasty tie in the Yorkshire match up.
Last Time Out
Hull sit fourth in the table after a decent run of games, but have dipped in form over the past few weeks, drawing with Warrington and losing out to surprise package Salford last week. However they do continue to look like a threatening side.
Leeds sit just above Hull in third, they are also having a steady season, winning big over Wigan recently, before becoming on the first team to be beaten by Warrington in 2017. Brian McDermott’s side have got back on track after a slow start to their campaign, however, Rhinos are without the banned Brett Ferres, who misses 6 games after his tackle on Oliver Gilart.
Key Battle
Hull will be looking to Scott Taylor to make the difference for them. The prop has been exceptional over the past two years and is a driving force in the team. He will relish in a new Good Friday experience and try to exploit the Rhinos in the middle of the field.
For Leeds it’ll be Ashton Golding. At only 20 years old he has a lot of pressure on his young shoulders, but he is thriving in the opportunity and making a name for himself so far this season. He leads well from the back and could help Leeds massively.
Prediction
Both sides have shown some good stuff so far this season. Leeds should find a way to knock on the FC goal line, but I think Hull have got the patience and persistence to see the fixture through. With such a huge pack, it is hard to see it going any other way – Hull by 14.
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Squads
Hull FC: 1. Jamie Shaul, 2. Mahe Fonua, 3. Carlos Tuimavave, 4. Josh Griffin, 5. Fetuli Talanoa, 6. Albert Kelly, 7. Marc Sneyd, 8. Scott Taylor, 10. Liam Watts, 12. Mark Minichiello, 13. Gareth Ellis, 14. Jake Connor, 16. Jordan Thompson, 17. Danny Washbrook, 19. Steve Michaels, 21. Sika Manu, 22. Josh Bowden, 25. Jansin Turgut, 28. Brad Fash
Leeds Rhinos: 1. Ashton Golding, 2. Tom Briscoe, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Joel Moon, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Danny McGuire, 7. Rob Burrow, 8. Keith Galloway, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. Adam Cuthbertson, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 13. Stevie Ward, 14. Liam Sutcliffe, 15. Brett Delaney, 17. Mitch Garbutt, 20. Anthony Mullally, 24. Jordan Baldwinson, 25. Jordan Lilley, 28. Mikolaj Oledzki
Game Details
Venue: KCOM Stadium
Date: Friday 14th April 2017
Kick Off: 3pm GMT
Referee: James Child
