Departing Lynch asks Hull to be positive in eliminator

The ex-Bradford Bulls captain – who last night confirmed he is to return to Castleford Tigers next season – makes a timely return from injury in tonight’s elimination play-off at league leaders Huddersfield Giants.

Sixth-placed Hull – no side has won a Grand Final from so low – secured their berth with another sterling defensive performance against Catalan, denying the French side a try in the sudden-death game at KC Stadium.

Such resilience and stubbornness has often been a theme in their play of late and it will be needed against the most prolific side in Super League.

The East Yorkshire club’s own potency going forward, however, has been far less impressive.

“The defence is great but we can’t keep relying on it to win games,” said Lynch, who spent the first six years of his career at Castleford until 2004, before playing seven seasons with Bradford and joining Hull two years ago. “If we’re not producing attacking quality, it’s going to be hard winning matches from here.

“It is so important we attack well – especially against Huddersfield – and also try go set-for-set there to tire out their forwards as they do have a big, physical set of forwards.

“We’re fit enough and strong enough to do that but we have to add some quality in our work with the ball.”

Lynch, 33, has not played since pulling a hamstring in the Challenge Cup final defeat against Wigan four weeks ago, but brings much-needed power and experience back to their side.

“I had my fitness test on Monday, tough, and am fine now.

“It’s going to be great getting out there at a quality Huddersfield side. They’ll be fired up after getting beaten by Wigan and we know we have to be at our best.

“We’ve had a taste of the big stage and want more of it. No team has done it from sixth but this season is wide open.”

On his return to Castleford, Lynch added: “I’m glad I’ve got the chance to go back there. I’m really looking forward to it. They’ve signed some quality players – it’s going to be exciting.”