FORMER Marlborough Rugby Club winger Mitieli Vulikijapani will make his Super League debut for Hull FC against Leigh Centurions on Saturday.

Hull coach Brett Hodgson says he is excited to be able to unleash the club’s latest British army recruit into the round 10 fixture against bottom club Leigh at the Leigh Sports Village.

Hull fans will be hoping he can emulate the feat of his fellow Fijiian Ratu Naulago, who scored 23 tries in 34 appearances for the Black and Whites before switching codes at the end of last season with Bristol, but Hodgson is loathe to put pressure on the former rugby sevens player.

Vulikijapani gets his chance with Hull down to 18 fit players after Josh Bowden, Carlos Tuimavave and Cameron Scott joined the club’s injury list, but Hodgson says he always intended to give him a debut this season.

Vulikijapani, who was granted a release from his duties as a gunner in the 47 Regiment Royal Artillery to try his luck in rugby league, was given a one-year contract earlier this year after a successful trial period.

“We’re excited,” Hodgson said. “We always knew there would be a stage this year where he would get a start for the club.

“He’s been here for a number of months now and he’s been excellent in and around our system.

“He’s a great kid, he’s humble and hard-working and he’s always learning. He went to Bradford for a couple of weeks and learned some things there.

“It’s important to note that Mitch isn’t Ratu so we don’t want to put that big target on Mitch because he’s still learning his trade.

“But ultimately we see something in Mitch and we’re confident he can perform on Saturday.”

Despite being down on numbers, Hull are expected to get the better of the Centurions but Hodgson believes they are a dangerous side.

They have been in winning positions in each of their first two games under interim head coach Kurt Haggerty, against Wakefield and Catalans, and Hodgson believes they will start collecting victories soon.

“Regardless of their position in the table, when it comes to attacking structure they are dangerous,” Hodgson said.

“They’re not far away from their first win of the season but hopefully that doesn’t come this weekend.”