BOWDEN RECEIVES FIRST-TEAM CALL
By Matt Holden | Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Hull FC head coach Peter Gentle has called up youngster Josh Bowden to his 19-man squad for Friday evening’s game against Salford City Reds.

With Joe Westerman facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a shoulder injury and Sam Moa suspended, the hard-working 20-year-old has received the nod and could make his senior debut.

Bowden has also been joined by fellow young forward Chris Green who is recalled to the 19-man party, whilst Jamie Ellis and Jordan Turner are also vying for spots in the side having been named 18th and 19th men respectively in recent weeks.

The Black and Whites head to Salford for their first Friday evening outing of Super League XVII.

Tickets are still available for the clash from the KC Stadium retail store. Tickets bought in advance allow the club to retain 10% of the ticket sale, instead of all the money being returned to Salford.

Fans are also reminded that you can’t pay for parking on the day. Fans who wish to reserve a parking space must purchase their pass from the KC Stadium retail store in advance.

Squad in full: Aspinwall, Bowden, Briscoe, Ellis, Green, Horne, Houghton, Lynch, Manu, Martin, McKinnon, Nicklas, O’Meley, Seymour, Sharp, Tickle, Turner, Whiting, Yeaman.

1. McKinnon
2. Sharp
3. Martin
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Horne
7. Seymour
8. Lynch
9. Houghton
10. O'Meley
11. Tickle
12. Manu
13. Aspinwall

14. Whiting
15. Nicklas
16. Green
17. Bowden

1. McKinnon
2. Sharp
3. Martin
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Horne
7. Seymour
8. Lynch
9. Houghton
10. Green
11. Tickle
12. Manu
13. Aspinwall

14. Whiting
15. Nicklas
16. O'Meley
17. Bowden
Possibly swap tickle and aspinwall

That would be mine but I would start with Green and put O'Meley off the bench, can't see him starting with two young props off the bench.

2 young props coming on at the same time as Feka for them could be dangerous. One young prop with either Shrek or Lynch would be safer

That's what I said above Wildie.

O'Meley off the bench, if things are getting difficult we can have O'meley and Lynch making the hard yards and when things are going our way we csan give the youngsters a shot

1. McKinnon
2. Sharp
3. Martin
4. Yeaman
5. Briscoe
6. Horne
7. Seymour
8. Lynch
9. Houghton
10. O'Meley
11. Tickle
12. Manu
13. Whiting

14. Aspinwall
15. Green
16. Nicklas
17. Turner

Don't forget Lynch will play 60/70 mins so other three props will rotate for the most part Ogre, Aspinwall & Green.

Would be dangerous playing Lynch for 70 mins only 5 days after playing 78. All respect to Salford but it is an ideal game to give Green a good run out, 30mins or something. Can see us (initially) going 3 through the middle as well, Salford have started well but faded in games so far, so I wouldn't be surprised to see Aspinwall at 13 to start.

Good luck to young Bowden if he gets his chance. He is a good player. A little surprised that he has been picked over Mike Burnett though. It is good to see that your new coach is been true to his word and giving youth their opportunity.

Qn, are we not the 18th man this season?

Saw bowden a lot last season , impressed me everytime I saw him . Whether its too early only one way to find out , what should help him is he is well-built

Haven't seen that much of either player tbh but good to see they've been given a chance by Gentle. Hopefully , it will send out a positive message to the rest of the young players this season.

Agree with all of the above. How good to have a coach who is as good as his word. Are you watching Agar?

You can pay cash for Parking on arrival. Have done last 3 games no problem. Poor communication by club. £5.

Your all talking as if he's definitely playing, what is he's 18th man? I think Ellis and Bowden will be the 2 to miss out.

I think that Bowden miss out but will be 18th man incase another forward is injured during the warm-up. I think that it's good that younger players like him are knocking on the door of the first team and getting to experience some of the atmosphere at these games.

I would go with

McKinnon
Sharp
Martin
Yeaman
Briscoe
Horne
Seymour
Lynch
Houghton
Aspinwall
Tickle
Manu
Whiting

Nicklas
O'Meley
Green
Turner

Depends how you look at it, I suppose. Burnett was fortunate to even get a deal for us this season, so in that respect Bowden would appear to be higher up the pecking order. In all honesty, from what I've seen in 20s (obviously I know that's not the same as SL, but it's the only situation in which we can directly compare their relative performances) Bowden is simply a better prop than Burnett.