Hull FC are gearing up for a big pre-season.

Hull FC begin pre-season training under their new head coach Steve McNamara on November 2.

Change has been the word for the last several months and on Monday week it will all be put into practice as FC take the first steps to get themselves ready for the 2027 campaign and an upward trajectory once again after what was a disappointing 2026 season.

To do that, McNamara has been hard at work alongside Richie Myler and co preparing a programme that will push players this autumn, but there are still some big calls and processes to finalise as they get into the swing of training, build up to Christmas and then step things up once again in the new year. Here, Hull Live looks at McNamara’s early in-tray.

Finalise exit decisions

Hull still have players on their books that are surplus to requirement, or in Sam Lisone’s case, suspended after an internal disciplinary matter. Lisone, as first reported by Hull Live, was suspended after an on off field incident, believed to have happened after the club’s penultimate game of 2026 in Toulouse. The club are still working through that case, but an exit looks like a likely course of action. It is hoped the matter will be concluded before the start of pre-season.

Elsewhere, the likes of Aidan Sezer have been linked with an exit from the club for months, with York Knights on the radar. That move was never finalised, with Bradford Bulls, as per Love Rugby League, now in the market. But for any deal to happen, Hull must finalise an exit agreement with the player, who is contracted for the 2027 season. Obviously, agreeing on that package has been a stumbling block with Hull needing to get to an outcome quick to avoid any disruption when training begins.

Furthermore, the likes of Cade Cust and Herman Ese’ese have been linked with moves away from the club but both players are understood, at this stage, to be staying put. Ed Chamberlain also looks set to fight for his place again after returning from a loan spell at Bradford.

Injured stars return

Hull will welcome back the likes of John Asiata and Will Pryce across pre-season training. Asiata, out for several months with a hamstring injury, is expected to be fully fit for the start of training with Pryce now running again following his ACL rupture - albeit on anti-gravity treadmills. Both players now have three months to get to grips with training and ensure they are fit for the season’s start.

Elsewhere, Will Kirby and Joe Ward are coming in off ACL injuries, with Callum Kemp also having a shoulder reconstruction last month. Cade Cust is also coming into pre-season off a season-ending shoulder injury, while Yusuf Aydin is recovering from a knee injury that ended his campaign.

A step up in intensity

Hull need a big and vigorous pre-season. To be frank, it needs to be brutal, building fitness, stamina, and resilience ahead of what must be a more successful season in 2027.

Hull looked sluggish and off the pace to start the 2026 campaign. They didn’t look comfortable with the quicker rucks and were found wanting. That can’t be the case next year. Hull need to be bang at it, fit, and ready to go, controlling the ruck and getting their line speed on point. That starts now with the hard yards in pre-season.

Everyone has talked about a much sterner programme and that’s expected to be the case. Hull have appointed new backroom staff and brought in people regarded as some of the best in their fields; Jimmy McDaniel, Nathan Mill, Dave Ferguson, et al, as conditioners, trainers; and physios. These were all brought in for a reason: to make Hull more robust, tough, and mobile outfit. They’ve got to be fit, and they need to keep their best players on the field week in week out - a key stumbling block in recent years. That all starts now. Hull's players have been given off-season programmes and are expected to hit the ground running next week. A big three months await.