Luke Gale's coffee shop chat with Hull FC fan paints picture of what to expect from derby debut

Luke Gale has barely played three games for Hull FC but is already thoroughly aware of the enormity of the derby. Put simply, he hasn't been allowed to steer clear of it.

The Black and Whites captain is preparing for his first experience of the fierce rivalry but admits that the magnitude of the occasion has been blatantly apparent in the weeks and days leading to the game.

"You always hear the stories about exchanges with fans before the derby but I experienced one myself last week," he revealed. "I bumped into a couple of people in a coffee shop in Hull. They didn't even mention the game coming up, a Challenge Cup quarter-final, all they were bothered about was getting one up on Hull KR. I probably can't say exactly what they said but you know where I'm coming from.

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"I know how obsessed they are with rugby in this city. But at the same time, I probably don't get it because I've only played three games so I've not experienced it fully yet. But you quickly pick up how big this game is, I think this week will blow everything out of the water that I've previously seen."

The game will be emotionally charged from the get-go and Gale insists the Black and Whites have to channel the hostility of Craven Park to their advantage. But the experienced halfback warned that they have to play sensibly, which will allow them to fix up some of the issues that have conspired against them in recent weeks.

"You can't lose this game as a Hull FC player, it's as simple as that. It's win at all costs, we know that. But what we have to do is set a platform and start well, because we've not done that the last few weeks and it's hurt us.

"It's at