Tony Smith offers chance to fresh Hull FC young gun with 'strong' chance of debut

Tony Smith will select Logan Moy in Hull FC’s 21-man squad ahead of Saturday’s game against Huddersfield Giants, with a 'strong' chance of a Super League debut.

Moy was one of eight academy promotions to the first team squad ahead of the 2024 season, with the 'cheeky' full-back, who is also capable of playing at hooker, impressing his fellow teammates and the coaching staff across pre-season and into this year.

The 18-year-old was the Academy's Player of the Year last season and has bags of pace and ball-playing ability, with two games under his belt for the reserves last month. Smith, meanwhile, was happy to reveal a conversation with the player earlier this week, who nearly ‘bit his hand off’ when asked if he thinks he’s ready for first-grade action.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Smith said: “Logan will be in our 21 this week for the first time with a strong chance of being there or thereabouts. I love it when a young man works his way into the squad and you get a chance to tell him or ask him, does he think he's ready for first grade? I asked the question and he nearly bit my hand off.

"That's a good part of the job. While we've got some injuries and I hate hearing about them, for senior players or young players coming through, that's the hard part, being a coach and caring about your players, but the good part is being able to tell a young man that he may get his first-grade debut this week.

"Logan is full of enthusiasm. He's a goer; he's great to be around in training, and he brings energy. He buzzes around, and we need some of that energy. There's an opportunity for him. He's a cheeky character to have around but in a good way. The players like him training with them. That's a big part of it. They were all delighted and excited when I told them he might be part of our side this week."

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Smith also confirmed that Fa’amamu Brown will likely start at hooker against the Giants with Danny Houghton ruled out with a rib injury. Joe Cator is also back in the fold, with Liam Tindall available. However, Jack Ashworth has been ruled out with a broken thumb and Nick Staveley has a gutting season-ending ACL injury.

“Nu is the logical option," Smith added on the hooking spot. "We’ll finalise that as the week goes on. He's played and started there already this year. It'll probably be a fair guess to assume he will be the answer there."

Read more: Nick Staveley suffers season ending injury as updates also given on Hull FC duo