Hull FC's Brown ready to stand tall in battle of the props against St Helens

21 June 2023 , 19:26

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Hull FC's Jack Brown (Image: PA)

He’S not built like your average prop but Hull’s Jack Brown is ready to go toe-to-toe with the best.

It’s been a difficult season for the club’s young player of the year who’s been in and out of Tony Smith’s side. But Brown - who’s squat physique can make him an awkward opponent - gets his chance on Thursday when Super League champions St Helens make their second visit to MKM Stadium in just six days. Saints won Saturday’s Challenge Cup quarter-final 32-18 after Hull saw Josh Griffin red-carded for dissent at half-time.

However, with ex-England prop Scott Taylor having dislocated his shoulder in that game, Brown, 22, is drafted in as FC bid to gain swift revenge. He’ll be up against wrecking-ball Great Britain front-row Alex Walmsley who towers at six foot five inches. But Brown - who is only five foot ten - loves proving doubters wrong who say he’s not big enough.

He said: “I do. It’s a fact I’m not as tall as many Super League props. I’m only five ten and others are six foot and up to six five so I am shorter. But I’m still the same weight as most of those boys so that evens it out a little. I use it to my own advantage being smaller than them, especially sometimes in defence when I can target the ball area more and dip under it. I use it as a strength rather than a weakness.

“I missed out on the quarter-final so I’m one of the fresh ones coming in looking to give us energy. It’s tough against Alex Walmsley. He is one of the best in the world. But it’s great for my development if I can match it with someone like him.”

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Hull will also be bolstered by the return of Jake Clifford after the star Aussie scrum-half missed the Cup tie. Brown has featured in just nine of their 17 appearances so far and admitted: “It has been frustrating. It just hasn’t happened for me this year. I’ve struggled for form when I have come in so I just need to take this chance.”

Hull FC's Jack Brown (PA)

Hull, of course, are without Griffin who was slapped with a massive seven-game suspension for ‘questioning the integrity’ of referee Chris Kendall. The ban has been criticised given, at the same time tribunal on Tuesday, Leigh’s Kai O’Donnell was only handed six matches for a horror spear tackle. Brown said: “Griff’s not spoken much about it. He’ll be gutted and won’t be happy being out for seven games.

“I don’t know what happened and what he said (to the referee). But God knows what could have happened with that (O’Donnell) tackle - it could have nearly broken the player’s neck. Him only getting six, and Griff getting seven seems a bit (excessive)..."

David Craven