Batchelor's 'surprise' Hull FC take laying out fresh ambitions

JOE Batchelor has jumped straight into the deep end at Hull FC, but that's the way he likes it. Sold on the ambition of the Black and Whites, the back rower sought a new challenge, and in leaving St Helens for a return to his native Yorkshire, he has found it.

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Signing on for 2026 and beyond at the start of last season, Batchelor took a keen interest in how the club fared, and while he knew they were on an upward curve, the level of progression seen under John Cartwright came as a surprise, with unity, grit, and togetherness catching his eye.

Now Batchelor wants a piece of it, with Hull restoring some pride in 2025 and now looking to go one better next year, with a playoff finish the minimum expectation.

Speaking to Hull Live for the first time, Batchelor said: "It was a tough decision to leave St Helens, especially relocating my family and everything, but the top and bottom of it is the ambition of the club really sold to me.

"What the club did probably exceeded my expectation, if I'm being honest, in what they produced last season, but that's even more reason to be excited about this coming season.

"Watching from afar, you could really see the closeness of the group and how hard they fought for each other. That was what really attracted me to the team. They made loads of changes going into last season but the togetherness was there to see.