Exclusive: Hull FC’s next retention and recruitment moves have been laid out.
Ligi Sao is set to be a Hull FC player in 2026.
Hull FC’s next pieces of retention will lead their next recruitment steps. The Black and Whites have a quota spot available to use after confirmation of Jordan Rapana’s end-of-season retirement and it’s Hull Live’s understanding that spot is set to be used on Ligi Sao.
The prop forward has been out with a serious knee injury since February, having ruptured his patella tendon in round two of Super League and subsequently deregistered. However, he has made progress with his recovery all year and is expected to land a new deal to keep him at the Black and Whites into the 2026 season.
Head coach John Cartwright has given a handful of positive updates on Sao’s progress throughout the year. He was also asked by Hull Live last week if Rapana’s retirement decision and the club’s vacant quota spot opened the door for the six-time Samoan international.
“All of those things will happen, but it’s about Jordan at the moment,” Cartwright said. “It’s out in the open now and he’s been thinking about it for a long time, but out of respect for Jordan, we haven’t done anything.”
However, the club are understood to have aligned their latest moves after Rapana’s call last week, with Sao, who turns 33 in October, set to get a new deal. The decision has also been made all the more logical given an Achilles injury to Herman Ese’ese. The prop is out for 6-8 months, having ruptured the tendon against Leeds last month, with Sao offering further size and depth to the position alongside the likes of Liam Knight, not to mention new signings Harvie Hill and Sam Lisone.
Furthermore, the decision to retain Sao also means that any centre addition Hull bring in will be domestic, although the club aren’t expected to make a final move anytime soon. Cartwright has made no secret of his desire for a ‘strike centre’ and has weighed up the options overseas. But in what is believed to be a dry market, the club are now willing to keep their powder dry in return for a high-profile signing for 2027.
However, Hull are on the brink of another piece of retention, with Tom Briscoe, as previously reported, expected to remain at the Black and Whites next season. Cartwright told Hull Live last month that talks were between both the club and the players’ management, with Briscoe making no secret of his desire to stay on.
The veteran offers experience and depth to the outside backs and is expected to continue to play a crucial role in the development of Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin while strengthening the back options alongside young winger Joe Ward.
Sao and Briscoe are set to be the 13th and 14th pieces of retention. The only senior player that remains out of contract beyond that is Liam Watts. However, the prop is focused on finishing the year strong before making a decision on his future. He has offers from Championship clubs.
Jordan Lane and Jack Ashworth will join Castleford Tigers next season, while Cobie Wainhouse’s loan deal at Hull KR becomes permanent at the end of the year.