Hull FC have bolstered their academy ranks by signing three Welsh youth internationals, with one of them having a father who played in Super League.
The Black and Whites are one of the clubs in the top flight with a successful academy set-up, and have reaped the rewards from it, with the likes of Lewis Martin, Harvey Barron and the Kemp twins all progressing into the first team in recent years.
The club have experienced coaches in Francis Cummins, who is head coach of the academy, as well as transition coach, for players making their way from the youth teams into the first team. Danny Houghton has also signed up to be the club’s reserve head coach for 2026, so they are certainly not short of experience in that department.
Hull has signed three talented young players, all of whom have international experience with Wales, in an effort to maintain their success in developing young players into Super League.
The Welsh U18s captain, Charlie Cullen-Thomas, showed promise during his trial stint with the club and was even selected as the 18th man for the Welsh first team’s October match against Ireland.
Former captain Joshua Harding is a rugby union player who has also played in Warrington Wolves’ youth system. Raiding Wire’s young ranks has already produced one success story for Hull, and Denive Balmforth moved to West Hull from there as well.
Will Mathers, who is the son of former Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Bulls full-back, Richie, was a stand-out performer in Wales’ U16s Four Nations campaign earlier this year.
In what is a huge boost for rugby league in Wales, the nation’s Rugby League Performance Director, Clive Griffiths, said: “It’s great to see these young Welsh players being recognised by a top Super League club like Hull FC.
“This is exactly the kind of pathway we want to build; one that connects our developing players with professional environments while allowing them to continue their education and personal growth.”
“We’re really proud to welcome Charlie, Joshua, and William into our Academy program,” Cummins continued. They exemplify the tremendous potential inside the Wales Rugby League system with their obvious talent, attitude, and passion for the game.
