Gilmore, Carlile headline Fax line up for Hull FC clash
HALIFAX ARE likely to give debuts to four of their new recruits in Sunday’s pre-season opener against Super League outfit Hull FC at the Shay (3.0).
Two of Simon Grix’s key close-season signings, half back Tom Gilmore and hooker Keal Carlile, are poised to start the game, along with back rower Matt Garside.
Another forward, the former Batley back rower Paul Brearley, will also feature in a planned 20man squad as Fax play the first of three warm up fixtures on consecutive weekends.
Six senior players - including Grix’s brother, Scott, prop Keegan Hirst and new strike threequarter Jodie Broughton - are all held back ahead of upcoming games at Huddersfield and York.
Former Leeds young gun Reece Chapman-Smith will take the full back berth, while there is also a place on the bench for young Welsh half back Fraser Stroud and, potentially, Huddersfield Giants rookie Alfie Copley, who has been training with Fax.
Grix expects Hull coach Lee Radford to bring a mix of young talent and senior professionals.
“I’m pretty excited to see us play,” said Grix, who is likely to pair Gilmore, the former Widnes playmaker, with veteran captain Scott Murrell at the scrum base.
“It’s not about the result, but they’ve all worked hard for the last eight weeks and this is where we start to build some combinations, particularly around half back and hooker.
“I want to see us improve on a few things we identified from our opposed session against Huddersfield a couple of weeks ago.
“Hull didn’t finish last season as well as they would have liked, but they’ve got some new signings on board and I’m expecting them to bring some senior bodies, which is going to be a good challenge for us.”
Much of the focus will be on Gilmore, signed to replace the outgoing Ben Johnston, with Grix suggesting the 25 year old is likely to play at least some part in all three games.
“There was a lot of chopping and changing at six and seven this year, for various reasons, and it would be nice to see two players really stand up, take those shirts and start to build a partnership,” said Grix.
“Tom will get some time, he’s a new half back in a new team so he’ll get the chance to establish himself.
“Scott’s done what we asked him to as far as getting into shape goes, so we’ll see how he performs.
“James Woodburn-Hall will get a run at some stage and he’ll spend some time in the halves and at full back.”
Halifax (from): Chapman-Smith, Saltonstall, Tyrer, Barber, McGrath, Murrell, Gilmore, Fleming, Carlile, Morris, Garside, Kavanagh, Connor Davies, Woodburn-Hall, Brierley, Curtis Davies, Calcott, Stroud, Waite, Larroyer, Copley.
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