Cummins backs young crop to develop into FC first-team's star men

COACH IMPRESSED BY ACADEMY'S PROGRESS AHEAD OF 2026 CAMPAIGN

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Hull FC's rising stars Callum and Lloyd Kemp

(ALLAN MCKENZIE/SWPIX.COM)

Francis Cummins is backing Hull FC's latest crop of academy players to kick on and become future first-team stars.

The Black and Whites' under-18s began preseason training akin to their senior counterparts last month, with Cummins getting to grips with a new group alongside his support staff, one of whom includes club legend Danny Houghton.

Meanwhile, the new playing group contains the likes of Caleb Paleaaesina, a highly rated back rower or centre and son of former Hull player Feka Paleaaesina, not to mention halfback Kingsley Sharpe, whom the club acquired on a lengthy deal after graduating from the scholarship system.

And Cummins, into his third season at Hull, is encouraged by what he's seen so far - albeit well aware of the nurturing and development still to go.

Speaking to the Mail, Cummins said: "Every year is different, but it (preseason) has been good so far.

"We've got a big influx of first years and they are finding their feet at the moment, while the second years are becoming more leaders.

"We've got some good players.

We're going to be a young team next year but there is some talent in there.

"I think a few of them can really push on and we can get some good potential first-teamers out of this group.

"That's my job: to produce first-team players and give them experience. We're trying our best to do that."