JORDAN Thompson has praised the intensity of Hull FC's training and says it was exactly what he needed to further his career.
The 22-year-old is settling in smoothly at the Black and Whites after signing from Castleford Tigers on a two-year-deal.
But he described the recent army boot camp in Norfolk as tougher than he had expected.
"The camp was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, to be honest," Thompson told the Mail.
"I think it was a good thing for me and the likes of Chris Tuson, with us being the new boys, to settle in with our team-mates.
"We had to get straight into the middle of it and it helped us to get along with some of the lads that we didn't know.
"The training sessions are really broken down at Hull, whereas at Castleford, we interloped them all at once.
"At Cas, we used to have a meal then went straight into the weights, but here it's all broken down into a full day and very structured."
Able to cover every position in the back row, Thompson was spotted and signed by former Hull FC boss Peter Gentle during the middle of 2013.
But now he looks forward to impressing new coach Lee Radford in 2014.
"I think Lee, with him just coming out of playing, knows what he wants from us and he knows what needs to be done to kick everyone up the backside from the word go," Thompson said.
"Next year, I'm hoping my enthusiasm shows through. I needed this new challenge to kick on in my career, and I'm sure I'll get that at Hull.
"Radders hopes to play me in the second row and hopefully I'll be pushing through to get a regular starting place in the squad.
"We've still got the likes of Mickey Paea and Iafeta Paleaaesina to join us in the next few weeks.
"Those two players alone have got plenty of experience and I'm relishing them getting stuck into our pack."
The fixtures for 2014 were released on Monday, and Thompson said he has only had chance to see who FC line up against first – Catalan at home.
But it's his old Tigers side and the Hull derbies which he is looking forward to getting his claws into.
"A few of the boys have told me we face Castleford early on too, and to be honest, I can't wait to go back and play the Tigers," Thompson said.
"I've got a lot of love for the club and it was a hard decision to leave, but I'll be excited to get out there.
"Rugby league's one big family anyway and I've settled in really well.
"As soon as you know a few of the boys, you're laughing and joking and it's all the same banter everywhere you go.
"I know a few of my mates from back there will be trying to have a pop at me, but it will be fine. It's all in good fun.
"Castleford against Wakefield sounded big to me, but we're nowhere near 20,000 fans at those derbies.
"Knowing what goes on in the Hull FC and Hull KR matches, it's probably going to be the biggest battle of the season, and I just can't wait for the year to begin."
