![Skipper Ali vows to turn around Hull's recent slide Skipper Ali vows to turn around Hull's recent slide](https://cdn.magzter.com/1351005036/1737865986/articles/qB9wQPGaF1737983998542/SKIPPER-ALI-VOWS-TO-TURN-AROUND-HULLS-RECENT-SLIDE.jpg)
The 31-year-old centre recently became the club's all-time appearance holder surpassing 243 games, but his record-breaking special day last Saturday against Billingham was soured by a 34-17 defeat.
Hull came into this weekend just a point above the drop zone, a far cry from last season's eighth-place finish. Hull Ionians, who only survived due to Jersey Reds going into administration, are up in seventh after finishing 13th last term.
Heard told The Rugby Paper: "Our start to the season isn't what we hoped for. We're aiming to pick up some wins in this next block of games by improving our performances. We've had a few new faces join and they've taken time to settle, but it's difficult to pinpoint why it's gone wrong.
Denne historien er fra January 26, 2025-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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![Skipper Ali vows to turn around Hull's recent slide Skipper Ali vows to turn around Hull's recent slide](https://files.magzter.com/resize/magazine/1351005036/1737865986/view/1.jpg)
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Denne historien er fra January 26, 2025-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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![Packman enjoys his debut for Germany Packman enjoys his debut for Germany](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/Cia7x_skH1739101170394/PACKMAN-ENJOYS-HIS-DEBUT-FOR-GERMANY.jpg)
Packman enjoys his debut for Germany
WHILE he was denied a deserved England cap despite being one of the best finishers around in the 1980s and 90s, the late Frank Packman would have been proud that his German ancestry has at least allowed his son to play Test rugby.
![Tweedy's aiming high for Archers Tweedy's aiming high for Archers](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/rO1Ddic6l1739101702686/TWEEDYS-AIMING-HIGH-FOR-ARCHERS.jpg)
Tweedy's aiming high for Archers
UNDER the leadership of flanker Nathan Tweedy, Nottingham are hungry to achieve their best finish in the Championship since the 2012-13 season.
![Superstar Savea the man to ignite Moana Superstar Savea the man to ignite Moana](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/mFk197qCP1739101619768/SUPERSTAR-SAVEA-THE-MAN-TO-IGNITE-MOANA.jpg)
Superstar Savea the man to ignite Moana
ARDIE Savea’s move to Moana Pasifika is the headline transfer and there’s a feeling of optimism for the Pacific Island teams.
![Seven-try Bristol keep Chiefs quiet Seven-try Bristol keep Chiefs quiet](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/3O1vQPcGk1739101441964/SEVENTRY-BRISTOL-KEEP-CHIEFS-QUIET.jpg)
Seven-try Bristol keep Chiefs quiet
BRISTOL kept their play-off hopes alive with a seven-try victory at Ashton Gate.
![Let us permit No.8s freedom of expression Let us permit No.8s freedom of expression](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/HCEfTd0Qv1739101295007/LET-US-PERMIT-NO8S-FREEDOM-OF-EXPRESSION.jpg)
Let us permit No.8s freedom of expression
\"We must hope and pray the liberty awarded to No.9s is extended by at least one digit\"
![Heads must roll. If not today, then very soon Heads must roll. If not today, then very soon](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/YTUs_1tjf1739092484519/HEADS-MUST-ROLL-IF-NOT-TODAY-THEN-VERY-SOON.jpg)
Heads must roll. If not today, then very soon
JUST when the Red Dragon Brotherhood thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, their team duly plunged through another fathom of uncharted waters before hit- ting a deeper rock bottom.
![Wood making good at Trailfinders Wood making good at Trailfinders](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/ep5Ex6j1K1739101515210/WOOD-MAKING-GOOD-AT-TRAILFINDERS.jpg)
Wood making good at Trailfinders
CANADIAN tighthead Rori Wood has hit the ground running in west London and wants to help Trailfinders to back-toback top-six finishes.
![Italy hold on to leave Wales with little hope Italy hold on to leave Wales with little hope](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/oVzx1Fxp91739092187086/ITALY-HOLD-ON-TO-LEAVE-WALES-WITH-LITTLE-HOPE.jpg)
Italy hold on to leave Wales with little hope
ITALY, not without late alarms after finishing the game with 13 players, won the so-called battle of the wooden spoon as Wales slipped to a 14th straight defeat.
![Georgia's call for stronger opposition Georgia's call for stronger opposition](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/wufxLpVwU1739090950411/GEORGIAS-CALL-FOR-STRONGER-OPPOSITION.jpg)
Georgia's call for stronger opposition
THE president of the Georgian Rugby Union Soso Tkemaladze believes they have ‘outgrown’ the Rugby Europe Championship.
![Dowson: Don't push salary cap too hard Dowson: Don't push salary cap too hard](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/1686/1988833/mSw2Pv9DR1739091069912/DOWSON-DONT-PUSH-SALARY-CAP-TOO-HARD.jpg)
Dowson: Don't push salary cap too hard
PHIL Dowson has joined Gloucester owner Martin St Quinton in questioning the Premiership salary cap increasing at a time when clubs are still grappling with debt.