Newly-appointed Hull FC captain Gareth Ellis was sensationally ruled out of tonight's Super League opener against champions Leeds Rhinos just minutes before kick-off.

The England and former Leeds forward, who was set to make an eagerly-awaited return to Super League after a four-year stint in Australia with Wests Tigers, injured an ankle in the warm-up and was promptly withdrawn.

Hull coach Peter Gentle was forced to re-shuffle his line-up, with Richard Whiting coming off the bench to take Ellis' second-row spot and Chris Green promoted from 18th man to the bench.