Denive Balmforth

Den Balmforth
Personal information
Full nameDenive Balmforth
Born (2003-10-01) 1 October 2003
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight15 st 4 lb (97 kg)
Playing information
PositionHooker, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022– Hull FC 28 6 0 0 24
2023 (loan) Newcastle Thunder 26 6 0 0 24
2024 (loan) Swinton Lions 1 1 0 0 4
2025 (loan) Catalans Dragons 10 3 0 0 12
2026 (loan) York Knights 0 0 0 0 0
Total 65 16 0 0 64
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2025– Wales 2 1 0 0 4
Source: [1][2]
As of 24 February 2026

Denive Balmforth (born 1 October 2003) is an English-born professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker or loose forward for York Knights, on loan from Hull F.C. in the Super League and Wales.

Playing career

Hull FC

In 2022, he made his Hull début in the Super League against Toulouse Olympique.[3]

Swinton Lions (loan)

On 25 May 2024 it was reported that he had joined Swinton Lions on short term loan.[4]

Catalans Dragons (loan)

On 25 June 2025 he joined the Catalans Dragons on loan.[5]

Hull FC recalled him on 8 September 2025, ready for the forthcoming clash with Warrington Wolves at the weekend.

In October 2025 he was selected for the Wales squad for their matches against Ireland.[6]

York Knights (loan)

In October 2025 it was announced he would be joining super league newcomers York Knights for the 2026 season. [7]

International

He made his international debut for Wales, starting at halfback, in the 24-0 win over Ireland in Neath on 25 October 2025 in the two-match series.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Player Summary: Denive Balmforth". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club.
  2. ^ Rugby League Project
  3. ^ Super League: Hull FC 48-12 Toulouse - Hat-tricks for Darnell McIntosh & Connor Wynne
  4. ^ "HULL FC STARLET JOIN LIONS ON LOAN". Swinton Lions. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Denive Balmforth joins the Dragons". Catalan Dragons. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  6. ^ https://wrl.wales/mens-squad-named-for-ireland-fixtures
  7. ^ Daniel Tomlinson (27 Oct 2025). "Hull FC hooker Denive Balmforth joins Super League newcomers in latest loan move FC". Hull Daily Mail.
  8. ^ Daniel Tomlinson (26 Oct 2025). "Hull FC and Hull KR players feature on international stage as France secure World Cup place". Hull Daily Mail.