Hull FC’s new middle spark on adding his own flavour to the side, the challenge ahead, and the club’s new Kiwi quartet.
James Bell is looking to add his own flavour to Hull FC’s middle.
There are many different cogs aiming to get Hull FC spinning next year – and each piece is hoping to add its own value. That’s exactly what new recruit James Bell intends to do in the black and white, with the loose forward determined to bring his own blend of rugby league to his new club.
Ready to work in tandem with John Asiata and more, the 31-year-old, signed from St Helens on a three-year deal, is gearing up to play in a pack containing a mixture of force, power, and craft and, ultimately, add his own dimension to John Cartwright’s side for 2026 and beyond.
“I just love getting my hands on the ball and ball playing,” Bell, speaking to Hull Live, said. “I don’t think anyone does that as well as John, but we’ve both got pretty unique skill sets that we can bring to the table.
“I’m excited for that and to play with John, but what John brings to the game is pretty unique. I’m hoping to add a bit of that in my own way to the team and put my own little flavour in there and bring something a little bit different.
“But playing alongside John is going to be huge; whether we’re rotating or on the field at the same time, it could be a huge benefit for the team. I’m looking forward to testing out those combinations.”
That unique blend is what excites Bell. A lighter and arguably more agile form of middle, the new recruit believes Hull’s forward pack all bring something different, from Sam Lisone to Herman Ese’ese, Liam Knight, Harvie Hill, Ligi Sao, and beyond, with all those different qualities helping to make FC tick.
“We’ve got some big boys but I think the most exciting thing about the pack is that everyone is different and everyone is unique in their own way,” Bell continued. “Everyone brings a bit of their own flavour to the table, which is exciting.
“Sammy, he’s unique; there’s probably no one else like him, and it’s the same with Herman and Ligi and all the other boys. We’ve got a wide range of players – impact players, skilful players, and big-minute players – and that’s exciting for the club.
“It makes us unpredictable, but it will also keep every team honest. We’ve got so many different types of players. They’re all hard workers but they all bring something different. They will make it a challenge for other teams.”
Setting the groundwork now, Bell is currently finding his feet and getting acquainted with a new group at a new club. Pushing hard in pre-season, he is determined to set a strong foundation, with two months of training still to go before the season begins.
“I’m excited to be here,” Bell said. “It was a tough call to leave Saints. I was comfortable there. You can get comfortable with the environment, and it becomes almost your second home. It was a difficult decision, but in saying that, I was ready for a new challenge and a new opportunity, and that came in the colours of black and white.
“When Richie (Myler) approached me, it was a bit of a no-brainer, to be honest. It’s a fresh challenge and another opportunity for me and my family. It’s been really good so far. There are some good people in the environment. I’m still adjusting to how they operate over here, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it pretty quickly.
“Watching from afar, you could see the changes in the team and the way the boys would play for each other throughout the season. After I signed, I kept a close eye on everything that was going on, and you can see the difference. It’s something I definitely want to be a part of.
“I’m just working hard now. I had a good off-season. It’s always good to go see Mum and Dad and take the kids back home to where they’re from, but in saying that, it’s good to be back in now and getting into a routine.”
Finding his feet, Bell’s transition to Hull is also made all the easier with familiarity. The new forward is part of a quartet of the 2026 squad who all hail from Auckland, or to be precise, South Auckland, the more working-class part of the New Zealand city – and one that, in many ways, mirrors Hull: hard-working, honest, and down-to-earth.
“There’s four of us, Herman, Sammy, Ligi, and myself – we’re all from South Auckland, which is the rougher part of Auckland,” Bell explained. “We all know each other well.
“I grew up alongside Sam Lisone. We played against each other and eventually with each other. I played against Herman too growing up. Sammy and I then made it to the junior Warriors system. We played about five or six years together, so it’s awesome to reconnect with him.
“And then it’s the same with Ligi. He’s a little older, but I played at the Warriors with him too. There are some huge connections there already, and that was an influence on why I came here – having some familiar boys here and boys that I trust.”
That Kiwi stance is one Bell, well aware of the club’s history with New Zealand-born players, is proud of. He continued: “There have been some machines that have come here and worn the black and white from New Zealand. I hope I can be a new addition to that calibre of player. It’s going to be hard but I’m going to try my best.
“Growing up, Benji Marshall was the biggest influence on me. He was the guy I looked up to the most and he was a big influence on why I started playing the game at a young age. Benji and Stacey Jones. The little generals.
“I’ve got five brothers back home and they are all way bigger than me, so I had to be a bit creative and use my sidestep. They certainly toughened me up.”