Will Gardiner set Hull FC challenge as young prop continues to shine in Reserves

Will Gardiner and big stints for Hull FC Reserves are becoming the norm this year. The 22-year-old started with the full eighty away at London Broncos in Richmond and hasn't really looked back.

Rising in his stock, the young prop has played huge minutes ever since, also making two appearances in the first-team against Huddersfield and Castleford with a new two-year contract signed and sealed. It's been quite a year.

Gardiner's last outing saw him play 75 minutes against St Helens Reserves last month, with Hull losing the game 33-32 to a last-second drop-goal. The prop, meanwhile, continued his strong campaign at that level, with head coach Tony Smith challenging the player to take his recent progress into his next first-team hit-out, which, as recent 21-man squad's suggest, could come in the near future.

"He stepped up again," Smith told Hull Live. "He's got a big engine and he's very good at that level. The challenge for Will is to apply that to the first-team games.

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"He'll get an opportunity to do that again soon. He certainly steps up in the Reserves and leads the way. He looks confident, fit, strong, and effective."

Gardiner's pathway was well documented last year, signing for the Reserves from local amateur outfit West Hull before making his Hull FC debut several months later. Smith is now backing his recent performances to better prepare him for the challenges ahead.

"We forget sometimes his pathway and that he's a latecomer to the professional game," Smith added. "It's not the easiest way to come through and adjust. He's been thrown into the first team a few times through his promise but also through necessity at times.

"He's the next cab off the rank for us. Hopefully, he's better prepared for the hitout he had last week against a quality team."

Hull FC Reserves face Hull KR at Craven Park this Saturday, with several young first-team players expected to feature. Kick-off is 2 pm.