Hull FC v Crusaders: Teams
Hull coach Richard Agar makes one change to last week's initial 19-man squad for Friday's visit of Crusaders.
Last Updated: 03/03/11 1:22pm
Hull coach Richard Agar makes one change to last week's initial 19-man squad for Friday's visit of Crusaders.
Agar has opted to leave out veteran scrum-half Sean Long after he missed out on selection against Huddersfield with an Achilles injury.
The former Great Britain international will not be risked this week, with youngster Reece Lyne recalled to the squad after impressing for the U20s last week.
Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris can call on the services of Kiwi centre Vince Mellars, who returns to action after missing the last two games with a hamstring strain.
Last season's top try-scorer takes the place of Wales prop Jordan James, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging knee ligaments against Bradford Bulls last weekend.
Assistant coach Barry Eaton is hoping the club can bounce back from successive defeats to Harlequins and Bradford.
"We felt we've taken a couple of steps back, certainly since the Salford game," Eaton said.
"We've had two close defeats since and we feel we have been giving ourselves enough opportunities to win those games."
Hull squad: T. Briscoe, Dowes, Fitzgibbon, Horne, Houghton, Lauaki, Lyne, Manu, Moa, Obst , O'Meley, Radford, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Washbrook, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Crusaders squad: Bryant, Chan, Withers, Dudson, Flower, Lupton, Peek, Moore, O'Hara, Sammut, Martin, R. Williams, Thomas, Witt, Mellars, Schifcofske, Reardon, L. Williams, Murphy.
