The Hull FC youngsters Brett Hodgson could hand opportunities to against Sheffield Eagles

Hull FC get their Challenge Cup campaign underway on Saturday afternoon when they take on Sheffield Eagles in Featherstone. are the overwhelming favourites in the tie and they’ll have high hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.

They won’t underestimate Sheffield, who claimed a big win over North Wales Crusaders to reach this stage of the competition, but the game may provide Brett Hodgson with the chance to rest up a few. Of course, given he is short on numbers at present, those changes will be minimal, but he might look to give some of the club’s rising stars game time at Post Office Road.

With that in mind, Hull Live looks at five who could be in Hodgson’s thoughts this weekend.

Hodgson spoke highly of Severs on several occasions over pre-season and the head coach could be tempted into handing the back-rower a competitive debut. The 18-year-old has been included in a number of Hodgson’s 21-man squads this year but he is still waiting to make it onto the field for his senior bow.

Severs did get a taste of first-team action in pre-season, appearing and looking the part in friendlies against Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos and he has impressed in training, by all accounts. Jordan Lane and Manu Ma’u returned from injuries against Huddersfield last weekend and Severs could be the perfect replacement should Hodgson wish to manage their respective workloads.

The prop is no stranger to the senior environment and he does have an appearance under his belt after making his debut in June last year. He only had a couple of minutes on the field but it was enough to give him a taste of first-team rugby.

He has been named on the bench a couple of times since his debut but on both occasions he was left unused by Hodgson. As such,