Preview: Hull v Catalans (R26)

Hull FC coach Peter Sharp is urging his players to sign off in style on Sunday as The Black and Whites take on Catalan Dragons in their final home game of the regular season.

Sharp said: "We are planning to play some attacking rugby after a tough bout against Salford, but we are well aware that Catalans are a side with plenty of good players. They have one of the strongest packs in the competition so we won?t be taking them lightly."

The Australian coach has again praised the support of Hull faithful, who have ensured attendances are up on last season.

Sharp added: "I?ve been truly taken aback by the Hull FC supporters who turn up week in-week out to support their club. I?m told around 150,000 people have clocked through the turnstiles in Super League XI - that?s a great result.

Lee Radford, who has been selected in Paul Cullen?s England squad, added: "Every game in the league means something from now until the end of the season, our aim is second and a win on Sunday will go along way towards that."

Meanwhile, Danny Washbrook has topped the OPTA stats for loose forwards during Rounds 23 to 25.

The Hull-born player was captain of last season?s Senior Academy side which won the Grand Final and following another highly successful year with the club, has earned a regular starting jersey under the stewardship of Sharp.

The ratings are put together courtesy of OPTA index and their detailed statistical analysis awarded Washbrook 1834 points.

Washbrook said: "I used to switch between stand-off and loose-forward but through chatting to coaching staff during pre-season, we decided I should have a go at 13 and try and establish myself there which meant me not just creating things but also running the ball a lot more myself, which is something I really enjoy doing.

"Pete has coached me to be his loose-forward and I would like to think that I have repaid him. Since he came and brought me in I have had stints in the second-row and the centres but I?ve played about 90 per cent of my stuff at loose-forward."

Hull have prop Paul King back from suspension and the only other change to the side which beat Salford City Reds in their last match will be on the wing, where Shaun Briscoe or 18-year-old Craig Hall are vying to replace the retired Nathan Blacklock.

Catalans are without centre John Wilson and full-back Renaud Guigue has failed to recover from a hamstring injury. Coach Mick Potter recalls stand-off or loose forward Sean Rudder and forwards Remi Casty and Adel Fellous.

Hull FC v Catalans Dragons, Sunday 3rd September, kick-off 15:15

Hull FC 2018-man squad: Briscoe, Carvell, Cooke, Domic, Dowes, Hall, G. Horne, R. Horne, King, McMenemy, Radford, Raynor, Swain, Tony, Washbrook, Wheeldon, Whiting, Yeaman.

Catalans Dragons 18-man squad: Beattie, Berthezene, Bosc, Casty, Chan, Fakir, Fellous, Frayssinous, Griffi, Hindmarsh, Hughes, Jones, Mounis, Murphy, Rinaldi, Sadaoui, Touxagas, Verges.

Referee: R Silverwood

Source: superleague.co.uk